Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is facing a possible suspension from boxing after testing positive for cocaine.
The 33-year-old New Zealander returned an adverse finding in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test conducted on October 25, the day of his fight against Britain’s Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena.
Parker, who lost the bout in the 11th round, did not test positive for performance-enhancing substances but for a recreational drug, according to sources close to the investigation.
Cocaine is classified as a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, and its use during competition can lead to a ban of up to two years.
The British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping are now reviewing the case.
Queensberry Promotions, Parker’s British promoter, confirmed the failed test in a statement, saying VADA had informed all relevant parties of the adverse finding.
“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time,” the statement read.
Parker, who held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, had been on a comeback trail with six consecutive wins before his defeat to Wardley. He has not yet commented publicly on the test result.
The boxer is entitled to request a B-sample analysis, although such results rarely differ from the initial finding.
If confirmed, the ban would derail Parker’s hopes of another world title shot and could sideline him from the sport for a significant period.
