Robert Helenius vows to clear name after failed drugs test

Heavyweight Robert Helenius has vowed to do "whatever it takes to clear my name" after denying taking performance-enhancing drugs following the emergence of an adverse finding in a test a fortnight ago.

The 39-year-old Finn was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in the seventh round at London's O2 Arena on 12 August after stepping in as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte, who had failed a drugs test himself.

On Friday, fight promoter Matchroom Boxing confirmed Helenius had "returned an adverse analytical finding" from a voluntary test the day before the fight but the boxer has denied any wrongdoing.

"I want to say something very clear in my own words right now with absolutely no exception," he wrote on Instagram.

"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 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 (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) and the BBBofC (British Boxing Board of Control) to do whatever it takes to clear my name."