Joseph Parker Confronts Possible Ban After Positive Anti-Doping Test
Former world champion Parker produced a positive sample during a drugs test carried out on the day of his 11th-round loss to English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Match Plus the Implications
The British boxer and Joseph Parker participated in a pulsating bout staged in the UK capital in late October to decide the identity of the WBO mandatory challenger facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had positioned himself as the primary candidate to meet the champion following stringing together a remarkable six wins in a row, however placed his shot at the title on the line in the UK and suffered an 11th-round stoppage.
Positive Test and Potential Consequences
A standard screening administered to the boxer via Vada the day he fought returned positive which leaves the 36-year-old in a difficult position to demonstrate his cleanliness.
Parker's promotional company released an announcement which read: "The anti-doping body alerted all required parties that Joseph Parker had a positive result after a doping test conducted on the fight day. As the investigation continues, no more comments will be made at this time."
Career Background
The New Zealand boxer earned the title of titleholder back in 2016 until he lost the WBO title by unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium two years later.
Parker remained an active participant across the United Kingdom since then, fighting eight times overall in the UK and moving to Ireland for training camps alongside highly regarded trainer Andy Lee in recent years.
Current Situation
Under the tutelage of Lee, the boxer bounced back from the 2022 setback to Joe Joyce to achieve several successes positioning him at the front of the line to face the champion before he lost to Wardley.
After Parker returned an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, reportedly involving cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome has been started.
- The boxer failed a drug test for a prohibited substance.
- The screening was conducted by Vada on the fight day.
- The fighter now faces disciplinary action from boxing.
- His promotional team published an announcement confirming the positive test.
- A formal inquiry is currently in progress regarding the case.
