New Zealand's Joseph Parker Could Receive Possible Suspension Following Failed Doping Test
Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding as part of a drugs test carried out the very day he faced 11th-round loss against UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Fight Plus the Stakes
Fabio Wardley along with Joseph Parker engaged in an intense bout in London on 25 October to decide the next mandatory WBO contender to reigning heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
Joseph Parker had positioned himself as next in line to meet the champion subsequent to stringing together an impressive six consecutive victories, but risked his shot at the title on the line in London and endured an 11th-round defeat.
Failed Examination Plus Possible Outcomes
An ordinary examination given to Joseph Parker through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency the day he fought came back positive and now leaves the 36-year-old with a battle to prove his innocence.
His promotion team released an announcement which read: "Vada alerted all relevant parties about Parker had a positive result subsequent to a drug screening administered on the 25th October. As the investigation continues, no additional comment will be made for now."
Professional History
Parker was crowned titleholder back in 2016 before he lost the WBO title via unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium two years later.
Parker remained an active participant on British soil after that, having eight matches altogether in Britain and moving to Dublin for fight camps alongside esteemed mentor Andy Lee over the past few years.
Current Situation
Under the tutelage of Lee, Parker bounced back from the 2022 setback versus Joe Joyce to secure multiple wins positioning him at the front of the line to meet Oleksandr Usyk prior to he was defeated to the British fighter.
Subsequent to the boxer produced a positive test when he fought Wardley, reportedly for cocaine, an investigation into the findings is underway.
- Parker tested positive for a prohibited substance.
- The test took place through Vada on the fight day.
- Joseph Parker could receive a potential ban from boxing.
- Queensberry published a comment acknowledging the adverse finding.
- An investigation is currently in progress regarding the case.
