New Zealand's Joseph Parker Faces Potential Disqualification Due to Positive Drugs Test
Former world champion Parker produced a positive sample in a drugs test carried out the very day he faced 11th-round loss to English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Fight and Its Implications
Fabio Wardley along with Joseph Parker were part of a pulsating contest in London on 25 October to decide the identity of the WBO mandatory challenger facing reigning heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had been the leading contender to challenge the champion following stringing together an impressive six consecutive victories, yet placed his contender position at stake during the bout and endured an 11th-round defeat.
Positive Test Plus Potential Consequences
A standard screening conducted on the boxer by Vada on the day of the bout showed an adverse result and now leaves the veteran boxer in a difficult position to prove his innocence.
His promotion team released a communique declaring: "The anti-doping body notified everyone involved regarding Joseph Parker had a positive result subsequent to a drug screening conducted on October 25th. While the matter is investigated, no more comments will be made currently."
Career Background
Joseph Parker earned the title of titleholder in 2016 before he lost the WBO title by unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff two years later.
Parker became a regular competitor on British soil from that point, fighting eight times in total on UK territory and moving to Dublin for preparation alongside highly regarded trainer former champion Lee during this period.
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Guided by Lee, the boxer recovered from his 2022 loss to Joe Joyce to secure multiple wins which put him as the top contender to challenge Oleksandr Usyk before he lost to Wardley.
After the boxer produced an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, reportedly involving cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome is underway.
- Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding for a prohibited substance.
- The screening was conducted by Vada on the fight day.
- Joseph Parker is confronting a potential ban from competition.
- His representatives has issued an announcement acknowledging the failed examination.
- A review is currently ongoing into the matter.
