ANTHONY JOSHUA’S former rival Robert Helenius has been banned from boxing for two years due to a positive drugs test.
The test came after AJ knocked out Helenius with a brutal right cross in the seventh round of their heavyweight fight in August 2023.
The 40-year-old has now recorded a positive UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) test for clomifene.
Helenius protested his innocence but has now been banned for two years after being unable to prove it.
UKAD’s statement read: “Finnish Professional Boxer Robert Helenius has been banned from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport for two years.
“Following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
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“Mr Helenius was tested by UK Anti-Doping after his bout against Anthony Joshua at the London O2 Arena on 12 August 2023.
“Analysis of his sample revealed the Presence of clomifene. Clomifene is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all-times.”
“UKAD notified and charged Mr Helenius with ADRVs for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance and provisionally suspended him.
“On being notified, Mr Helenius stated that the clomifene detected in his urine sample must have originated from his consumption of eggs and chicken meat.”
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“However, following a request by UKAD, Mr Helenius was unable to provide any evidence that the eggs and chicken meat he had consumed in advance of the bout originated from hens that had been administered clomifene.”
He is entitled to credit for the time he spent provisionally suspended.
Therefore his ban is deemed to have started on September 18 2023 and will end at midnight on September 17 2025.
The Nordic Nightmare also tested positive for a banned “non-steroid substance” just days before his brutal knockout loss to AJ last year.
Helenius, 39, was drafted in as a short-notice replacement following DillIan Whyte’s multiple failed drug tests.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
