By peter.
Joseph Parker, the ex-world heavyweight boxing champion from New Zealand, firmly rejected any claims of using a banned substance on Saturday, just after discovering a failed drug test from the day of his stunning defeat to Britain’s Fabio Wardley.
The 33-year-old posted on social media that the positive result from an anti-doping screening on October 25 came as a complete shock. That night, he was stopped in the 11th round by Wardley, costing him his spot as the WBO’s mandatory challenger for undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoters Queensberry issued a brief statement: “The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) notified all relevant parties last night that Joseph Parker had an adverse finding from an anti-doping test on October 25, ahead of his fight with Fabio Wardley. No further comments will be shared while the investigation continues.”
Parker expressed strong belief in his innocence, vowing full cooperation. “I voluntarily tested before my latest bout and was stunned to hear it flagged an issue,” he shared on Instagram. “I never touch prohibited substances, steer clear of performance enhancers, and don’t back their use at all. I’m working hand-in-hand with the review process and am sure it’ll prove my name clean.”
British outlet The Sun claimed the test detected traces of cocaine in Parker’s system.
Parker had been riding high toward a possible showdown with the dominant Usyk, buoyed by a six-fight winning streak that featured triumphs over heavyweights like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. Now, though, a suspension looms if the probe doesn’t go his way.
He first claimed the WBO heavyweight crown in 2016, only to drop it via unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff in 2018.
