Finnish boxer, Robert Helenius, who has been provisionally suspended since August 2023 pending the outcome of his case, was handed a two-year ban by the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) on Friday after failing a post-fight drug test against Anthony Joshua.
Helenius tested positive for the banned substance clomifene after the heavyweight bout at the O2 Arena in London last August. Joshua won in front of his home crowd. The 40-year-old was knocked out in the seventh round by Joshua.
Helenius denied using performance-enhancing drugs. According to UKAD, he claimed that the presence of clomifene in his urine sample was due to the consumption of contaminated eggs and chicken.
However, a statement from UKAD read: “Mr Helenius was unable to provide evidence that the eggs and chicken he consumed prior to the fight were from hens that had been given clomifene, following a request from UKAD.”
Clomifene, a female fertility drug, can be used to boost testosterone levels in men and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Helenius, nicknamed ‘The Nordic Nightmare’, was a last-minute replacement for Joshua’s original opponent, Dillian Whyte, who tested positive for a banned substance.
Helenius saved the event by preventing the fight from being cancelled after Whyte’s sudden withdrawal.—Insidethegames.biz