Joseph Parker: Former heavyweight champion faces long boxing ban after failed drugs test

Join the Miguel Delaney team: Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football NewsletterFormer heavyweight champion Joseph Parker failed to pass a drugs-test before his defeat last month by Fabiowardley. Traces of cocaine were found in a test given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada), Sky Sports News reported, with the sample handed over on 25 October – the day of the fight against Wardley. The Independent has contacted Parker’s promoter David Higgins and Vada for comment, while the boxer’s British promotional company Queensberry said in a statement: “Vada last night informed all required parties that Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on the 25th October in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley.“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time.”The Ring reported that Parker’s friends were shocked by the results, and the fighter can request to have his B-sample tested. Despite cocaine being a recreational drug and not a performance-enhancing substance, taking it can lead to a multiple-year ban for a boxer.Parker, 33, was stopped by Wardley in the 11th round at the O2 Arena in London, with the New Zealander losing his WBO interim heavyweight title as a result. The stoppage was seen as controversial by many fans and pundits, who felt that the referee stopped the bout too soon, with Parker leading on points at the time of the finish.Fabio Wardley (right) stopped Joseph Parker in the 11th round in October (PA Wire)Before facing Britain’s Wardley, Parker was in line to face Oleksandr Usyk for all the major heavyweight belts in 2026. Parker is a former champion and has trained with Tyson Fury. He’s fought Anthony Joshua as well as Deontay Wolder and Dillian Howte. The Kiwi lost “AJ” Never miss a top-promoter’s fight. Watch anywhere, at any time. Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. You will earn commission by signing up for this service. Enjoy 185+ boxing fights per year on DAZN. The Global Home of BoxingNever Miss a Fight from Top Promoters. Watch anywhere, at any time. Buy NowADVERTISEMENT. We will receive commission if you subscribe to this service. The Independent uses this revenue to support its journalism. Parker earned the WBO Interim Heavyweight Title by defeating Zhilei Zhi Zhang in 2024 via decision, and climbed twice off the ground in that fight. He was next due to challenge then-IBF champion Daniel Dubois this February, but the Briton withdrew due to illness on two days’ notice.Parker instead fought Martin Bakole, stopping him in two rounds to retain his interim title. Parker was the next opponent for Usyk after Dubois lost to him in July.
2025-11-14 17:50:42