Boxing Dec 07, 2025

Joseph Parker fails drugs test: Heavyweight tested positive for traces of cocaine on day of Fabio Wardley defeat

šŸ‘¤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Joseph Parker fails drugs test: Heavyweight tested positive for traces of cocaine on day of Fabio Wardley defeat

Joseph Parker could face up to a two-year ban from boxing after a failed drugs test.

Parker's routine test given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency returned traces of cocaine.

The test was conducted 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.

Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions said: "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."

Spencer Brown, Parker's UK manager, said: "We are in total shock at the findings. We are just waiting to speak to Joe, David Higgins and his promoter Frank Warren.

"It is very early days and we will get to the bottom of it all."

The British Boxing Board of Control [BBBofC] has told SportNews it is "investigating" the matter.

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, 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 to 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 his future in the sport.

SportNews Boxing expert Andy Scott:

"The headline is shocking.

"Everybody loves Joseph Parker. I think he's most people's second-favourite heavyweight. But there were questions as to why take that fight [against Wardley]?

"He was in line to fight [Oleksandr] Usyk. He instead took a risky fight against Wardley, and now this is the headline.

"Not only did he lose the fight, he now has this investigation that he will have to come out of and clear his name.

"For context, Liam Cameron is the high-profile case in boxing with similar circumstances. He received a four-year ban for traces of cocaine, but the rules have changed since then.

"It will be interesting to see how this develops further. There's a full investigation, we'll wait to see what the outcome is of that, but there is a possibility that he's facing a two-year ban."

Tags:

boxing news id:13470155

Share this article

Related Posts

Derek Chisora: British boxer says he's been given 'green light' by wife for Deontay Wilder rematch later in 2026

Derek Chisora: British boxer says he's been given 'green light' by wife for Deontay Wilder rematch later in 2026

Derek Chisora has revealed his wife has given him the "green light" to have a rematch with Deontay Wilder.Wilder beat Chisora by split decision in an...

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: 'If either fighter loses their warm-up bout, you cannot do the fight,' warns Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: 'If either fighter loses their warm-up bout, you cannot do the fight,' warns Eddie Hearn

The richly anticipated Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury showdown could still be derailed if either man loses a tune-up bout beforehand, says promoter...

Chris Billam-Smith hits back after next opponent Ryan Rozicki insists his Jai Opetaia fight plan is 'a mistake'

Chris Billam-Smith hits back after next opponent Ryan Rozicki insists his Jai Opetaia fight plan is 'a mistake'

Chris Billam-Smith is making a mistake by even contemplating a future fight with Jai Opetaia, insists his next opponent Ryan Rozicki.Rozicki, a fearso...

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ā€˜proves himself at the highest level’

Oleksandr Usyk will fight Fabio Wardley in a unification once the Briton ā€˜proves himself at the highest level’

Fabio Wardley could secure a world heavyweight title unification with Oleksandr Usyk, but only after he ā€œproves himself at the highest levelā€.Wardley...

Ryan Rozicki on facing Chris Billam-Smith and looking for weaknesses: 'Scars will show what side he's vulnerable on'

Ryan Rozicki on facing Chris Billam-Smith and looking for weaknesses: 'Scars will show what side he's vulnerable on'

Chris Billam-Smith and Ryan Rozicki went head-to-head for the first time at the Your Site studios on Tuesday.Before their June 6 clash in Bournemouth,...

Zuffa Boxing: Shane Mosley Jr secures sixth-round stoppage victory over favourite Serhii Bohachuk

Zuffa Boxing: Shane Mosley Jr secures sixth-round stoppage victory over favourite Serhii Bohachuk

Shane Mosley Jr delivered a dramatic stoppage victory over Serhii Bohachuk at Zuffa Boxing 06 in Las Vegas.Mosley Jr, who was watched by his father, f...