Boxer Joseph Parker Faces Potential Suspension Due to Positive Drugs Test
The New Zealand heavyweight produced a positive sample in a drugs test conducted the very day he faced 11th-round loss versus English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Fight Along with Its Consequences
Wardley and Parker were part of an intense bout staged in the UK capital last October to establish the next mandatory WBO contender facing reigning heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had been the leading contender to meet Oleksandr Usyk subsequent to putting together an impressive six consecutive victories, but placed his contender position on the line in the UK and suffered an 11th-round defeat.
Adverse Finding Plus Potential Consequences
An ordinary examination conducted on Parker via the anti-doping organization the day of the match came back positive and leaves Parker facing a challenge to prove his innocence.
The boxer's representatives published a statement declaring: "The anti-doping body notified all relevant parties about Parker returned an adverse finding subsequent to a drug screening administered on the 25th October. While the matter is investigated, no additional comment are forthcoming at this time."
Professional History
Parker became titleholder back in 2016 until he was defeated for his WBO belt by unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua in Wales in 2018.
The fighter remained an active participant in the UK since then, fighting eight times in total on UK territory and transferring to Dublin for training camps under highly regarded trainer Andy Lee over the past few years.
Recent Developments
Coached by Andy Lee, Parker recovered from the 2022 setback against Joe Joyce to chalk up several successes that placed him as the top contender to face Usyk before he suffered defeat to the British fighter.
Subsequent to Parker's sample showed an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, reportedly involving cocaine, a probe regarding the results has been started.
- Joseph Parker failed a drug test for a prohibited substance.
- The screening was administered by Vada the day of the bout.
- The fighter now faces a possible suspension from competition.
- Queensberry released a comment addressing the failed examination.
- A review has been in progress about the situation.
