HELSINKI (BN24) — Finnish heavyweight boxer Robert Helenius has announced his retirement from the sport following the completion of a two-year doping suspension, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly two decades and concluded with a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua.
Helenius, 41, tested positive for the banned substance clomifene after being stopped by Joshua in the seventh round of their bout in August 2023. The failed test led to a two-year ban, which officially ended on September 18. Despite becoming eligible to compete again, Helenius confirmed to Finnish newspaper Uusimaa that he no longer plans to return to the ring.
“The decision came over time,” said Helenius. “I’ve noticed that I can no longer find the inspiration in myself to train hard twice a day.”
While formally stepping away from competition, Helenius has not ruled out the possibility of a return under specific circumstances. “I’m never saying never,” he added. “If a really good offer comes in for an interesting match, we’ll look at it from that perspective.”
For now, the man once known as “The Nordic Nightmare” is turning his attention to coaching. He is currently serving as head coach of the Nordic Nightmare Boxing Club in his hometown of Porvoo, Finland.
Helenius retires with a professional record of 32 wins and five defeats, having once been considered a rising contender in the heavyweight division. His amateur pedigree included a silver medal at the European Championships and four Finnish national titles. As a pro, he built momentum with stoppage victories over former world champions Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter, and Siarhei Liakhovich.
In 2011, Helenius won the vacant European title in a closely contested bout against Derek Chisora, though the split decision was widely debated at the time. That victory would prove to be one of the high points of his career, which began to stall following a knockout defeat to Johann Duhaupas in 2016.
Subsequent losses to Dillian Whyte and Gerald Washington pushed him further from world title contention. However, Helenius revived his career with a pair of upset victories over then-undefeated Adam Kownacki, performances that led to a high-profile clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Wilder stopped Helenius in the first round with a devastating right hand that remains one of his most brutal knockouts.
Despite contemplating retirement after the Wilder defeat, Helenius returned to face Anthony Joshua in what would become his final professional fight. The bout ended with Helenius being knocked out by Joshua’s trademark looping right hand in the seventh round.
With his fighting days now behind him, Helenius steps away from the sport he entered as a teenager, having once stood on the edge of world title contention and ultimately carving out a career marked by both promise and resilience.
