Heavyweight Robert Helenius BANNED from boxing

Robert Helenius has been hit with a two-year ban from boxing as a result of his positive drugs test following last year’s fight against Anthony Joshua.

The 40-year-old heavyweight, who was 39 at the time of the AJ fight, tested positive for clomifene after being knocked out at London’s O2 Arena in August 2023.

Clomifene is banned because it can be used to boost testosterone levels in men.

Helenius attempted to plead his innocence by claiming that the clomifene in his system must have originated from his consumption of eggs and chicken meat.

However, a statement issued by UK Anti-Doping on Friday, said that ‘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.

‘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.’

The ban will be valid for two years from September 18, when Helenius was provisionally suspended.

He will therefore be permitted to return to the sport after midnight on September 17 in 2025.

Helenius responded to Friday’s verdict by publishing a statement of his own.

It read: ‘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.’