Former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker has publicly denied using any banned substances after a routine drug test detected traces of cocaine, a result that could see him suspended from the sport for two years.
Shock Test Result and Fighter's Response
The adverse finding came from a test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on the day of his fight against Britain's Fabio Wardley on 25 October. Parker, 33, lost that bout. In a statement posted on Instagram, the New Zealand boxer expressed his surprise and maintained his innocence.
"Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me," Parker stated. "I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use."
He confirmed he is cooperating fully with the ongoing process and is confident the investigation will clear his name.
Career Implications and Governing Body's Reaction
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has confirmed to Sky Sports that it is actively investigating the matter. A two-year ban from boxing is a potential consequence for Parker if the findings are upheld.
This development marks a dramatic fall for the fighter, who had been on a career resurgence. Prior to the Wardley fight, Parker had secured six successive victories, including notable wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, which earned him the WBO interim title.
Sky Sports Boxing expert Andy Scott highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that Parker had risked his status as the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk by accepting the fight with Wardley. "Not only did he lose the fight, he now has this investigation that he will have to come out of and clear his name," Scott said.
The positive cocaine test and subsequent investigation now cast a significant shadow over the future of the former champion's career as the sporting world awaits the outcome.
