Anthony Joshua’s Opponent Robert Helenius Fails Doping Test

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Anthony Joshua’s former opponent Robert Helenius failed the doping test conducted before the match between him and Joshua on 11th August. The result was made public yesterday in a statement by Matchroom Sport^TM, a  company that promotes sporting events.

The same match had ended with Joshua knocking out Helenius in the seventh round. But many were surprised that it took the superstar that long to defeat him, given their stats.

Helenius had admitted after the match that he did not have enough training before the contest. He had been appointed to fill in for Whyte, who had been disqualified based on the same matter of failing VADA’s (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) pre-match doping test.

During the revealing statement, Matchroom said:

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 a random anti-doping protocol. Helenius was voluntarily tested on Friday, 11 August before the heavyweight fighter’s defeat by Anthony Joshua in London on Saturday, 12 August. The result was made known to Matchroom today.

Matchroom defers to the relevant regulatory authorities on next steps. We vehemently continue to support voluntary anti-doping testing. We are committed to promoting a clean and fair sport for all athletes. We will not be making any further comment.

But Helenius has denied any wrongdoing, and has given a statement to both Anthony Joshua, his fans and fans of boxing:

I want to say something very clear in my own words right now with absolutely no exception. I did not use any performance enhancement now or ever. I have been tested my entire career. I was just told that I tested positive for the presence of a non-steroid substance in my system and I wanted to send an immediate direct message to Anthony Joshua and boxing fans that I didn’t cheat and never would.

I volunteer to work with VADA and the BBBofC to do whatever it takes to clear my name.

Helenius recently disclosed that what was found in his system was not dope.