Helenius denies doping claims

Finnish heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius has stated that he did not cheat against Anthony Joshua in the ring on August 12 at the 02 Arena.

A pre-fight drug test taken before Helenius faced the British-Nigerian produced an ‘adverse analytical finding’ for a non-steroid substance, according to Matchroom Boxing.

The Finnish heavyweight was drafted in on a week’s notice following Dillian Whyte’s absence from the main event due to his own volunteer anti-doping agency’s failed test.

Helenius had just come off a low-level third-round knockout in his own country when he put Joshua out clean with a right hook in the seventh round.

It was the former unified heavyweight champion’s first stoppage victory since late 2020.

In a statement released on Saturday, Helenius protested his innocence and assured Joshua that he is a clean fighter.

“I want to say something very clear in my own words right now, with absolutely no exception. I do not use any performance enhancements 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,” the statement read.