Boxer Joseph Parker Faces Possible Suspension Following Positive Drugs Test
Former world champion Parker tested positive during a drugs test conducted the same day he fought in 11th-round defeat to English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Fight Along with Its Stakes
The British boxer and the New Zealander were part of an intense contest in London last October to establish the identity of the mandatory WBO contender to unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Joseph Parker had positioned himself as the primary candidate to face Usyk after stringing together an impressive six wins in a row, but put his contender position on the line during the bout and suffered a stoppage in round eleven.
Positive Test Along with Potential Consequences
An ordinary examination administered to Joseph Parker via the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on the day of the bout showed an adverse result which leaves the 36-year-old with a battle to prove his innocence.
His promotion team published an announcement declaring: "The agency informed all relevant parties regarding Joseph Parker tested positive subsequent to a drug screening conducted on the fight day. While the matter is investigated, no more comments will be made currently."
Professional History
The New Zealand boxer was crowned world champion in 2016 until he surrendered his WBO belt via unanimous decision against British star Joshua at the Millennium Stadium in 2018.
Joseph Parker became a regular competitor in the UK from that point, fighting eight times in total on UK territory and moving to Dublin for fight camps under respected coach former champion Lee in recent years.
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Guided by Lee, Parker overcame his defeat in 2022 to Joe Joyce to achieve several successes that placed him as the top contender to face the champion until he suffered defeat to Wardley.
Subsequent to Parker returned an adverse finding on the day of the Wardley fight, reportedly involving cocaine, a probe about the test outcome is underway.
- Parker returned an adverse finding for a prohibited substance.
- The test was administered by Vada on the fight day.
- Joseph Parker now faces a possible suspension from the sport.
- Queensberry has issued a statement addressing the adverse finding.
- A formal inquiry is now ongoing about the situation.
