Robert Helenius ‘failed’ drug test before Anthony Joshua knockout

Matchroom has revealed that Robert Helenius failed a drug test on the day before he was knocked out by Anthony Joshua earlier this month.

Helenius returned an ‘adverse analytical finding’ two weeks on from the bout.

Joshua floored the Finnish heavyweight, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Dillian Whyte after the British fighter failed a drug test of his own.

Yet after replacing Whyte, Helenius also returned an adverse finding the day before the fight. The promotion says it was only made aware of the result on Friday.

A Matchroom statement read: ‘Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) has informed Matchroom and the British Boxing Board of Control that Robert Helenius has returned an adverse analytical finding as part of a random anti-doping protocol.

‘Helenius was voluntarily tested on Friday, 11 August before the heavyweight fighter’s defeat by Anthony Joshua in London on Saturday, 12 August. The result was made known to Matchroom today.

‘Matchroom defers to the relevant regulatory authorities on next steps. We vehemently continue to support voluntary anti-doping testing. We are committed to promoting a clean and fair sport for all athletes.

‘We will not be making any further comment.’