Former Anthony Joshua Opponent Handed Two-Year Ban Following Failed Drug Test
Anthony Joshua fought Robert Helenius on August 12, 2023, at the 02 Arena, resulting in a big seventh-round KO victory for AJ. Following the fight, a UK Anti-Doping test revealed the presence of clomifene in Helenius’ system, which is a prohibited substance. “The Nordic Nightmare” blamed these test results on eggs and chicken meat. Despite this excuse from the Finish fighter, he has now been handed a two-year ban.
Robert Helenius Banned Following Failed Drug Test After Anthony Joshua Fight
Robert Helenius Receives Two Year Ban
Helenius has been handed a two-year ban for failing a drug test after his fight with Joshua last year. The 40-year-old heavyweight tried to maintain his innocence and said: “I wanted to send an immediate direct message to Anthony Joshua and boxing fans that I didn’t cheat and never would.”
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The statement from UKAD read: “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.”
The UKAD statement continued: “Mr Helenius was therefore unable to identify the source of clomifene in his sample and therefore unable to reduce the applicable period of ineligibility of two years.”
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Helenius was a late replacement to face Joshua after Dillian Whyte produced an adverse analytical finding, leading to the cancellation of the much-anticipated rematch between Whyte and AJ.
What Does the Future Hold for Helenius?
“The Nordic Nightmare” was initially provisionally suspended despite his protests that the clomifene must have come from eggs and chicken meat. Due to this provisional suspension, his ban began on September 18 2023 and will end at midnight on September 17, 2025. The Finnish fighter has previously fought Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte.
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