By Jake Tiernan: Matchroom reporting that heavyweight Robert Helenius (32-5, 21 KOs) has returned an opposed “opposed analytical discovering” from a VADA-conducted take a look at taken a day earlier than his August twelfth struggle towards former two-time champion Anthony Joshua on the O2 Area in London, England.
In accordance with Matchroom, Helenius was examined on Friday, August eleventh, in the future earlier than he fought AJ. The actual query is, why did it take this lengthy for the outcomes of the take a look at to be launched?
Ideally, it will have been higher to find this earlier than the struggle in order that Joshua may have canceled.
There’s no phrase but on what substance the 39-year-old Helenius examined optimistic for. He was introduced in on a one-week discover to interchange Dillian Whyte, who additionally examined optimistic for a banned substance.
For Joshua, that is the third time one in all his opponents has been popped for a banned substance. The large three:
Jarrell ‘Large Child’ Miller
Dillian Whyte
Robert Helenius
The 6’6″ Helenius bloodied Joshua’s nostril and hyped up 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 towards Helenius, a fighter that Deontay Wilder knocked out within the first spherical final 12 months in October. Now, at the very least, Joshua’s followers have an excuse accountable his poor efficiency towards Helenius on.
Boxing followers on social media are having a discipline day, stating 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 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.
Take 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 tens of millions from the fights. Ruiz Jr. now reportedly had a internet value of $10 million, and he solely hardly ever fights. He doesn’t must struggle typically like different fighters after getting huge cash in a rematch with Joshua.
When there’s the possibility to make tens of millions preventing the heavyweight cash man Joshua in a rematch, it’s comprehensible why a fighter would wish to acquire an edge.
We’ll see how the optimistic take a look at impacts Helenius’ profession, if in any respect.
ℹ️ Official assertion on Robert Helenius pic.twitter.com/OuZX9wXKOV
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) August 25, 2023
