Anthony Joshua receives message from Robert Helenius following news of rival's failed drug test ahead of brutal KO loss | The Sun
ROBERT HELENIUS insists he's no drug cheat after he failed a test taken BEFORE his clash with Anthony Joshua.
The Nordic Nightmare tested positive for a banned "non-steroid substance" just days before his brutal knockout loss to AJ earlier this month.
Helenius, 39, was drafted in as a short-notice replacement following DillIan Whyte's multiple failed drug tests and, like his former opponent, has vowed to clear his name.
The veteran heavyweight said: “I want to say something very clear in my own words right now with absolutely no exception.
"I did not use any performance enhancement now or ever. I have been tested my entire career.
"I was just told that I tested positive for the presence of a non-steroid substance in my system.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Helenius failed drugs test BEFORE fighting Joshua after replacing Whyte
Free bets: Get £20 welcome bonus when you bet £5 with Ladbrokes
"And I wanted to send an immediate direct message to Anthony Joshua and boxing fans that I didn’t cheat and never would.
"I volunteer to work with VADA and the BBBofC to do whatever it takes to clear my name.”
Joshua, 33, continued his career rebuild with a spectacular seventh-round knockout of Swedish-born Finn Helenius at The O2.
A long-overdue grudge match with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is now in the offing for the Watford warrior.
Most read in Boxing
Dubois 'distraught' after Usyk low blow debacle and feels 'CHEATED'
Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr 2 undercard: Who is fighting on Manchester bill?
Major change to boxing as 12-year tradition comes to end as Usyk beats Dubois
Fans spot Usyk using same 'trick' during Dubois bout that he used against Joshua
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Negotiations over the Saudi showdown – which is being targeted for January – were at an advanced stage before the Helenius fight and promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to finalise it in the coming weeks.
When asked for a timeline on the fight being a done deal, he told Fight Hub TV: “Two or three weeks."
The Matchroom Boxing chief added: “I’ve been to Saudi Arabia twice to negotiate this fight. I’ve had two meetings, three meetings in London.
"I’m not doing it for banter. My instructions from Anthony Joshua [are] ‘I want to fight Deontay Wilder.’
"The only way this fight doesn’t happen is if Saudi doesn’t deliver the fight.
“[Wilder manager] Shelly Finkel, Wilder, as far as I’m hearing from them directly, they are in. We are in.
"We just need to sign a contract and go through the procedures to get that done.”
Should the negotiations collapse, Hearn insists Joshua will be back in action before the end of the year.
He said: “If it doesn’t happen, I think he’ll (Joshua) fight in December.
"But I’m not spinning that fight. All of our efforts have been for that fight.
Read More on The Sun
I’m an ex-paramedic – the dangerous food that acts like a plug on a child’s airway
Peter Andre reveals sad ‘real reason’ he never has birthday parties
"Honestly I wouldn’t waste my time flying all around the world trying to pretend that that’s the fight we want.
"That is the fight we want. It’s a massive fight, massive money, and that is what I have been instructed to deliver for AJ.”
Source: Read Full Article
