Robert Helenius has protested his innocence following Matchroom Boxing’s statement, which was published on Friday, August 25th, which confirmed that the Finnish heavyweight had failed a VADA-administered anti-doping test before his fight with Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 arena on August 12th.
Helenius (32-5) failed an anti-doping test conducted on August 11th and tested positive for an adverse analytical finding for a substance that has yet to be disclosed. Matchroom Boxing and the British Boxing Board of Control were notified by VADA on August 2t5th (Friday) regarding the positive test by Helenius.
Helenius stepped in to face Joshua on August 12th following Dillian Whyte’s own anti-doping issues after he was found to have tested positive following a VADA-administered anti-doping test. Whyte had been originally scheduled to face Joshua on August 12th in a re-run of their 2015 shootout. Joshua ultimately knocked out Helenius on August 12th in seven rounds.
Helenius, in response, has released a statement via social media protesting his innocence and has vowed to work alongside VADA and the British Boxing Board of Control.
“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.”
