By Jake Tiernan: Matchroom reporting that heavyweight Robert Helenius (32-5, 21 KOs) has returned an hostile “hostile analytical discovering” from a VADA-conducted take a look at taken a day earlier than his August twelfth struggle in opposition to former two-time champion Anthony Joshua on the O2 Enviornment in London, England.
Based on Matchroom, Helenius was examined on Friday, August eleventh, in the future earlier than he fought AJ.
There’s no phrase but on what substance the 39-year-old Helenius examined constructive for. He was introduced in on a one-week discover to interchange Dillian Whyte, who additionally examined constructive for a banned substance.
For Joshua, that is the third time one in all his opponents has been popped for a banned substance. The three:
- Jarrell ‘Massive Child’ Miller
- Dillian Whyte
- Robert Helenius
The 6’6″ Helenius bloodied Joshua’s nostril and overvalued his eyes earlier than getting knocked out within the seventh spherical after being dropped by a proper hand.
Joshua took criticism for the punishment he took and the way timid he regarded in opposition to Helenius, a fighter that Deontay Wilder knocked out within the first spherical final yr in October. Now, a minimum of, Joshua’s followers have an excuse guilty his poor efficiency in opposition to Helenius on.
Boxing followers on social media are having a area day, declaring how Joshua’s opponents are getting popped left & proper for banned substances.
Should you’re a fighter that’s hoping to get a big-money rematch with Joshua, you possibly can see why would take the gamble of dishonest as a result of in the event that they win, they’ll set themselves up for all times with a profitable rematch.
Have a look at Andy Ruiz Jr., a man who was only a easy profession fringe-level fighter till he obtained fortunate, knocking out Joshua within the seventh spherical in June 2019.
With that win, Ruiz fought Joshua in a rematch and made thousands and thousands from the fights. Ruiz Jr. now reportedly had a web price of $10 million, and he solely not often fights. He doesn’t must struggle typically like different fighters after getting huge cash in a rematch with Joshua.
ℹ️ Official assertion on Robert Helenius pic.twitter.com/OuZX9wXKOV
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 25, 2023
