Finnish professional boxer Robert Helenius has been handed a two-year ban from boxing after testing positive for a banned substance following his fight against Anthony Joshua last year.
The 40-year-old heavyweight tested positive for clomifene after being knocked out at London's O2 Arena in August 2023. Clomifene, a substance that can boost testosterone levels in men, is prohibited in sports.
Helenius, who was 39 at the time of the fight, claimed that the clomifene in his system must have come from his consumption of eggs and chicken meat. However, UK Anti-Doping issued a statement on Friday stating that Helenius was unable to provide any evidence that the eggs and chicken meat he consumed were from hens administered with clomifene.
The statement read: "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 was unable to reduce the applicable period of ineligibility of two years."
Helenius's ban will be effective from September 18, 2023, when he was provisionally suspended. He will be eligible to return to the sport after midnight on September 17, 2025.
In response to the verdict, Helenius issued a statement, asserting his innocence:
"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 remains committed to proving his innocence and intends to cooperate fully with anti-doping authorities.
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