Finland's Helenius Handed Two-Year Doping Ban

Finnish boxer Robert Helenius has been handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping for violating anti-doping rules. He tested positive for clomifene prior to his August 2023 bout against Anthony Joshua. Helenius claimed the substance came from eggs and chicken he consumed, but failed to provide evidence.

Finnish boxer Robert Helenius has been handed a two-year suspension due to Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) agency announced on Friday. The banned substance, clomifene, was detected in a voluntary drug test conducted a day before his match against Britain's Anthony Joshua at London's O2 Arena in August 2023.

Helenius, who was 40 at the time of the test, claimed that the presence of clomifene could be attributed to his consumption of eggs and chicken. However, UKAD noted that he was unable to provide evidence that these foods were the source of the substance. He has been provisionally suspended since September 18, 2023, and has already served 10 months of his ban.

The suspension will officially end on September 17, 2025. Despite his defense, Helenius was ultimately unable to reduce his period of ineligibility, UKAD stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)