New Zealand's Joseph Parker Faces Imminent Disqualification Following Positive Doping Test
Joseph Parker produced a positive sample during a anti-doping examination administered the same day he faced 11th-round loss against British heavyweight Fabio Wardley.
The Fight and Its Stakes
Wardley and the New Zealander participated in an intense encounter held in London in late October to determine who would become WBO mandatory challenger against unified heavyweight titleholder Ukrainian champion Usyk.
The fighter was previously the leading contender to meet the champion following stringing together an impressive six wins in a row, but put his shot at the title in jeopardy in the UK and endured an 11th-round defeat.
Positive Test and Implications
An ordinary examination given to Parker via Vada on the day of the bout showed an adverse result and leaves the 36-year-old in a difficult position to demonstrate his cleanliness.
Parker's promotional company released a statement declaring: "The agency informed everyone involved about Parker had a positive result following a doping test administered on October 25th. During the ongoing inquiry, no more comments are forthcoming at this time."
Professional History
Parker earned the title of titleholder back in 2016 until he was defeated for his WBO belt by unanimous decision versus Anthony Joshua in Wales in 2018.
The fighter has been a frequent visitor across the United Kingdom after that, fighting eight times in total in Britain and relocating to Dublin for preparation with respected coach Andy Lee during this period.
Latest Events
Under the tutelage of Lee, Joseph Parker bounced back from his 2022 loss to Joe Joyce to chalk up several successes that placed him at the front of the line to face Oleksandr Usyk prior to he was defeated to Wardley.
Following Parker's sample showed an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, allegedly for cocaine, a probe about the test outcome has been started.
- Parker failed a drug test for a prohibited substance.
- The test was administered by Vada on the fight day.
- The fighter is confronting a possible suspension from boxing.
- His promotional team published an announcement addressing the adverse finding.
- A review is now ongoing about the situation.
