Joseph Parker Faces Potential Suspension Due to Failed Drugs Test
Joseph Parker produced a positive sample in a doping test conducted the same day of his 11th-round stoppage against UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Match Plus the Consequences
Fabio Wardley together with Parker engaged in a pulsating encounter in London on 25 October to decide who would become next in line for the WBO facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker was previously the leading contender to meet Usyk after stringing together an impressive six-fight winning streak, yet placed his shot at the title at stake in the UK and suffered an 11th-round stoppage.
Failed Examination Along with Possible Outcomes
A standard screening administered to Parker via the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on the day of the bout came back positive and now leaves the veteran boxer in a difficult position to prove his innocence.
The boxer's representatives issued an announcement declaring: "The agency alerted all relevant parties about Parker returned an adverse finding subsequent to a drug screening conducted on the fight day. During the ongoing inquiry, no further statements are planned for now."
Professional History
The New Zealand boxer became world champion six years ago prior to he was defeated for his WBO belt via unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff two years later.
Parker became an active participant across the United Kingdom after that, fighting eight times in total in Britain and transferring to the Irish capital for fight camps with highly regarded trainer Andy Lee during this period.
Latest Events
Under the tutelage of Lee, Joseph Parker overcame the 2022 setback versus Joe Joyce to chalk up multiple wins that placed him at the front of the line to challenge the champion prior to he was defeated against Wardley.
Subsequent to the boxer produced a positive test during the Wardley bout, reportedly involving cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome has been started.
- The boxer returned an adverse finding for a banned substance.
- The examination was conducted by Vada on October 25th.
- The fighter is confronting a possible suspension from the sport.
- His promotional team has issued a statement confirming the adverse finding.
- A review is now ongoing about the situation.
