Boxer Joseph Parker Could Receive Potential Disqualification Due to Positive Doping Test
Joseph Parker tested positive during a drugs test administered the very day he faced 11th-round defeat against English fighter Fabio Wardley.
The Bout Plus the Implications
Fabio Wardley along with Joseph Parker participated in a thrilling encounter staged in the UK capital on 25 October to decide the identity of the WBO mandatory challenger against unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Joseph Parker was previously the primary candidate to face Oleksandr Usyk subsequent to putting together a notable six wins in a row, yet placed his contender position at stake in London and endured a stoppage in round eleven.
Adverse Finding and Possible Outcomes
A standard screening given to the boxer via the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency the day he fought showed an adverse result which leaves Parker in a difficult position to prove his innocence.
The boxer's representatives released an announcement stating: "The agency informed all relevant parties about Parker had a positive result following a doping test carried out on the fight day. During the ongoing inquiry, no more comments are forthcoming at this time."
Professional History
The New Zealand boxer earned the title of heavyweight champion six years ago prior to he surrendered the WBO title through a points decision versus Anthony Joshua in Cardiff 24 months later.
Joseph Parker has been an active participant across the United Kingdom from that point, having eight matches in total in the UK and moving to the Irish capital for training camps alongside highly regarded trainer Andy Lee over the past few years.
Current Situation
Under the tutelage of Lee, the boxer overcame his defeat in 2022 to British heavyweight Joyce to secure several successes which put him at the front of the line to meet the champion until he suffered defeat to Wardley.
After Parker's sample showed a positive test on the day of the Wardley fight, reportedly involving cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome has commenced.
- Joseph Parker failed a drug test for a banned substance.
- The screening was conducted by Vada on the fight day.
- The fighter is confronting disciplinary action from boxing.
- Queensberry published a comment addressing the positive test.
- A review has been in progress about the situation.
