Finnish heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius has been handed a two-year ban by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) after testing positive for the banned substance clomifene following his fight against Anthony Joshua in August 2023. The 40-year-old tested positive the day after being knocked out by Joshua.
Helenius has denied intentional doping, attributing the positive test to the consumption of contaminated eggs and chicken. However, UKAD stated that Helenius was unable to provide evidence that the food he consumed came from hens treated with clomifene.
Details of the Ban and Background
Helenius was provisionally suspended on 18 September 2023, and his two-year ban is backdated to that date, making him eligible to return to the ring on 18 September 2025. This positive test marked Helenius’ second adverse finding, with a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test also returning a positive result a day before his fight with Joshua, though the result was only revealed two weeks post-fight.
Clomifene, primarily a female fertility drug, can boost testosterone levels in men and is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) both in and out of competition. This is not the first instance of a boxer testing positive for clomifene; British welterweight Conor Benn also faced issues with the substance in 2022, maintaining that he ingested it through contaminated food.
Implications and Previous Incidents
Helenius was a late replacement for Dillian Whyte, who also faced a doping controversy, having returned an adverse finding in a VADA test before his scheduled bout with Joshua. This series of doping incidents has highlighted the ongoing challenges in ensuring clean sport in boxing.
Helenius, known as ‘The Nordic Nightmare,’ had a career setback with this ban, disrupting his plans for future fights. His case underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to anti-doping regulations and the challenges athletes face in ensuring their dietary supplements and food are free from banned substances.
