Joseph Parker Could Receive Potential Disqualification Due to Positive Doping Test
Former world champion Parker tested positive in a doping test administered the same day of his 11th-round loss to UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Match Along with Its Consequences
Wardley together with Parker engaged in a pulsating bout held in London last October to establish who would become next in line for the WBO against undisputed world heavyweight champion Ukrainian champion Usyk.
Parker had positioned himself as the leading contender to meet the champion following stringing together a remarkable six wins in a row, yet risked his contender position at stake in the UK and experienced an 11th-round stoppage.
Adverse Finding and Implications
An ordinary examination administered to Joseph Parker through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency the day he fought came back positive and now leaves the veteran boxer facing a challenge to demonstrate his cleanliness.
His promotion team issued a communique stating: "Vada notified all relevant parties that Joseph Parker had a positive result after an anti-doping test carried out on the 25th October. While the matter is investigated, no more comments are planned currently."
Boxing Journey
Parker earned the title of world champion six years ago prior to he lost the WBO title via unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium two years later.
Joseph Parker has been a frequent visitor on British soil since then, fighting eight times altogether in the UK and relocating to Dublin for training camps alongside respected coach Andy Lee during this period.
Recent Developments
Coached by Andy Lee, Parker bounced back from his defeat in 2022 against Joe Joyce to achieve several successes which put him at the front of the line to challenge Oleksandr Usyk before he suffered defeat to Wardley.
Subsequent to the boxer produced a failed test on the day of the Wardley fight, allegedly for cocaine, a probe into the findings is underway.
- Parker failed a drug test for a prohibited substance.
- The test was administered through Vada the day of the bout.
- The fighter could receive disciplinary action from competition.
- Queensberry published a statement addressing the positive test.
- A formal inquiry is now ongoing regarding the case.
