Joseph Parker has failed a drugs test after traces of cocaine were discovered in a routine test given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency, a source has confirmed to Sky Sports News.
It is understood the date of the test was on the day of the New Zealand heavyweight’s fight against Fabio Wardley, which the Briton won last month.
The news of Parker’s failed test only emerged on Friday.
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Highlights of Joseph Parker’s heavyweight clash with Fabio Wardley at The O2 arena. (Credit: DAZN)
Sky Sports News has contacted Parker’s manager, while Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions released the following statement via their X account.
“The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association [VADA] last night informed all required parties that Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on October 25 in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley.
“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time.”
Parker, 33, is a former world champion, who lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018, but he went into his fight against Wardley in arguably the best form of his career.
After a punishing loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker won his last six contests prior to Wardley, picking up victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang among them, as well as winning the WBO Interim strap.
He was due to challenge then IBF belt-holder Daniel Dubois in February, only for Dubois to fall ill just days before the fight was meant to take place.
Parker put his position as the WBO mandatory challenger for undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk on the line by taking the fight against Wardley.
It was a gamble that backfired and news of his failed drugs test now leaves major questions over the New Zealand heavyweight’s future in the sport.
