Boxer Robert Helenius was a guest of the Urheiluhullut program. Helenius talked about his further plans and also commented on the doping suspicion.
Robert Helenius was a guest on ‘s Urheiluhullut podcast. Helenius tells in Urheiluhullui how the hard beating after a positive doping test has felt. He also opens up about his future career plans and comments on the doping suspicion.
Heavyweight professional boxer Robert Helenius has been at the center of the commotion for the past few months. At the end of August, a two-time world champion Anthony Joshua knocked out Helenius in the seventh round.
The next knockout came shortly after the match, when Helenius’ doping sample was reported to contain a banned substance. Urheilu found out that the substance was clomiphene, which is used, among other things, as a breast cancer drug. revealed the background of the case at the beginning of November.
– There has been heavy looting in every direction, Helenius comments in Urheiluhullui.
Helenius has not been sentenced to disciplinary sanctions for a doping violation, and the content of his sample has not yet been interpreted as a doping violation in the legal sense of the matter.
Where are we going in the investigation of this case at the moment?
– I can’t really say anything to that. We have submitted all our opinions, hopefully the decision will come soon. It’s hard to hang in the middle when you don’t know if you can continue or not.
Helenius tries to calm his mind by exercising.
– We will train three to four times a week, just to keep our heads together. But I’m a fighter. Yes, I will still get up.
Will the career continue?
Against Joshua, Helenius jumped into the ring with a quick alarm. Usually 12 weeks are used to prepare for a big match.
– I could have won it if I had enough time to prepare for the match. That it wasn’t just a four-week training camp.
According to Helenius, the training opponents should also have been several degrees tougher.
– There was sparring for a couple of weeks, even then only three times a week, and no world-class sparring opponents.
The match against Joshua was a kind of watershed for Helenius.
– It was such a match that I’ll see if I can continue boxing from this, I’ll be forty next year.
Age has brought Helelnius new challenges in the ring.
– I notice that if I fight against young, explosive guys, I don’t have the same ability to react as I used to. It’s all about milliseconds. Now I have to make do with everything I’ve learned during my career.
It sounds like you still want to pursue your career. So will it continue?
– I hope so. I hope so. I was of the opinion after the Joshua match that yes, I have to try one more time to see how much grit is enough.
Robert Helenius and sports journalist Pekka Holopainen discussed, under the direction of Jussi Paas, Helenius’ career, the recent book that opens up the boxer’s life, and Helenius’ future in Urheiluhullui. You can listen to the episode at this link.