Joseph Parker Could Receive Possible Disqualification After Failed Anti-Doping Test
Joseph Parker tested positive in a doping test administered the very day he faced 11th-round stoppage versus English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Bout Plus the Implications
Fabio Wardley along with the New Zealander participated in an intense contest held in London in late October to establish the identity of the WBO mandatory challenger facing reigning heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker had positioned himself as the primary candidate to meet the champion subsequent to compiling a remarkable six wins in a row, but placed his mandatory challenger status on the line in the UK and suffered a stoppage in round eleven.
Adverse Finding Plus Potential Consequences
A routine test given to Parker via Vada the day he fought showed an adverse result and now leaves the veteran boxer in a difficult position to clear his name.
His promotion team published a communique which read: "Vada informed everyone involved that Joseph Parker had a positive result subsequent to an anti-doping test carried out on October 25th. While the matter is investigated, no additional comment will be made currently."
Professional History
The New Zealand boxer earned the title of titleholder in 2016 before he surrendered his championship belt via unanimous decision versus British star Joshua in Wales two years later.
Parker remained a regular competitor on British soil from that point, having eight matches in total in the UK and transferring to Dublin for preparation with respected coach Andy Lee in recent years.
Recent Developments
Under the tutelage of Lee, Parker bounced back from the 2022 setback to British heavyweight Joyce to chalk up multiple wins that placed him as the top contender to face Usyk prior to he was defeated to the British fighter.
Subsequent to the boxer produced an adverse finding on the day of the Wardley fight, allegedly for cocaine, a probe regarding the results is underway.
- Parker failed a drug test for a banned substance.
- The test was conducted by Vada the day of the bout.
- The fighter is confronting a potential ban from boxing.
- His representatives published an announcement acknowledging the adverse finding.
- A formal inquiry has been ongoing about the situation.
