New Zealand's Joseph Parker Faces Imminent Disqualification After Failed Anti-Doping Test
Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding during a drugs test conducted the same day he faced 11th-round loss to UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Match Along with Its Stakes
Fabio Wardley along with the New Zealander participated in a thrilling encounter staged in the UK capital last October to establish the next WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had been the leading contender to meet Oleksandr Usyk subsequent to putting together a notable six wins in a row, but put his contender position on the line in the UK and suffered an 11th-round stoppage.
Adverse Finding Along with Implications
A standard screening conducted on Parker via Vada the day he fought showed an adverse result and now leaves the 36-year-old in a difficult position to demonstrate his cleanliness.
Parker's promotional company released a statement which read: "The anti-doping body alerted all required parties that Joseph Parker tested positive subsequent to a drug screening conducted on the 25th October. While the matter is investigated, no further statements will be made currently."
Career Background
Joseph Parker earned the title of heavyweight champion six years ago before he surrendered his championship belt through a points decision versus British star Joshua in Wales in 2018.
The fighter became a frequent visitor on British soil since then, fighting eight times in total in the UK and moving to Ireland for fight camps alongside respected coach Andy Lee in recent years.
Current Situation
Guided by Lee, Parker bounced back from his 2022 loss against British heavyweight Joyce to chalk up multiple wins that placed him as the top contender to challenge the champion until he lost to Wardley.
Following the boxer produced an adverse finding on the day of the Wardley fight, allegedly for cocaine, a probe about the test outcome is underway.
- Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding for a banned substance.
- The examination was conducted by Vada on the fight day.
- Parker is confronting disciplinary action from boxing.
- Queensberry published a comment addressing the failed examination.
- A formal inquiry is currently in progress about the situation.
