It has been reported that Joseph Parker tested positive for cocaine on the day of his enthralling heavyweight shootout with Fabio Wardley last month.
According to The Sun’s Wally Downes Jr, the New Zealander’s failed Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) test was revealed by a source earlier this morning. It has now been confirmed by Queensberry Promotions.
And while cocaine is not considered a performance-enhancing substance, the reported test result could nonetheless see Parker receive a lengthy ban from the British Boxing Board of Control.
It was on October 25 that the 33-year-old suffered an 11th-round stoppage defeat to Wardley and, in turn, lost his leading position with the WBO.
Prior to that, Parker had cemented himself as the number-one challenger to face bona fide heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk, with the sanctioning body rotation system putting him in pole position.
Because of his stunning loss to Wardley, though, the former world champion is unlikely to secure his shot at a major belt anytime soon.
Not only that, but his career could be in serious jeopardy following the reported outcome of his VADA test, which was conducted on the day of his fourth professional defeat at the O2 Arena, London.
The findings, meanwhile, have seemingly been passed over to the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD), with the BBBoC awaiting further analysis before issuing any punishment. It is worth noting that Liam Cameron was handed a four-year ban by the Board after he tested positive for cocaine in 2018.
Queensberry Promotions have now released the following statement:
“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 the 25th October in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley.
“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time.”
Boxing News reached out to the BBBoC for comment, with General Secretary Robert Smith confirming the matter was being investigated.