Anthony Joshua opponent Robert Helenius fails drug test taken before knockout defeat after returning ‘negative analytical findings’ two weeks after match
- Helenius was knocked out by Joshua after seven rounds on August 12 in London
- Two weeks after the fight, the 39-year-old has returned an unfavorable finding
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Robert Helenius failed a drug test administered on the eve of his knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua earlier this month, with the Finnish heavyweight returning an ‘adverse analytical finding’ two weeks after the fight.
Joshua brought Helenius, who came on as a last-minute replacement for Dillian Whyte after the British fighter failed a drug test of his own the week of his scheduled rematch with AJ, to the point of no return in the seventh round in the London O2. arena on August 12.
But after replacing Whyte to save the show, Matchroom has now announced that Helenius had also returned a negative finding the day before the fight. The action says it was not informed of the result until Friday.
A statement from Matchroom read: ‘Today the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has informed Matchroom and the British Boxing Board of Control that Robert Helenius has returned an adverse analytical finding as part of an arbitrary anti-doping protocol.
Helenius was voluntarily tested on Friday August 11 before the heavyweight fighter was defeated by Anthony Joshua on Saturday August 12 in London. The results were announced today at Matchroom.
Robert Helenius failed a drug test administered on the eve of his defeat to Anthony Joshua
Helenius was knocked out in the seventh round by Joshua earlier this month in London
The Finnish heavyweight stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Dillian Whyte (pictured), who was pulled from the show after failing a drug test himself
Matchroom is consulting with the relevant regulatory authorities on next steps. We continue to strongly support voluntary anti-doping testing. We are committed to promoting a clean and fair sport for all athletes.
“We will not comment further.”
Joshua would have to settle his longstanding rivalry with Whyte before his nemesis returned an unfavorable finding just days after their rematch in London.
At the very last minute, Helenius stepped in to fill the void and ensure thousands of fans still got their money’s worth that night.
The 39-year-old had an astonishing assessment of Whyte’s failed test after striking a deal to replace him, claiming he would be ‘lynched’ back home to Finland for a similar result.
‘Of course that’s a problem, because I don’t think everyone is on the same level. Some have privileges that others don’t,’ Helenius said. “I think anti-doping should be the same in every country. For example, in your country if Dillian gets caught, everyone just thinks “oh it’s boxing” and nobody cares.
“If I got caught in Finland, I’d be lynched for the rest of my life. At least two years, nothing. I would never get a permit again.
“I know (Alexander) Povetkin, (Tyson) Fury, Canelo (Alvarez). If I did that, I would never be able to box in Finland again.’
Two weeks after the fight, it’s revealed that Helenius also made a negative finding
Helenius gave Joshua some minor trouble before the two-time former heavyweight champion knocked him out with a slashing right hand in the seventh.
And ahead of the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn praised the veteran fighter for accepting the challenge at short notice.
“You go into the wild west of who wants it, who doesn’t,” he said.
“We wanted someone who was credible, who would come fight, who we could close a deal with quickly. He has had great victories and has been targeted by Wilder. He boxed on Saturday and got knocked out.’