New Zealand's Joseph Parker Confronts Possible Disqualification After Positive Doping Test
The New Zealand heavyweight tested positive during a anti-doping examination conducted the same day he faced 11th-round loss to English fighter Ipswich-born Wardley.
The Fight Plus the Stakes
The British boxer along with the New Zealander were part of a pulsating encounter in London in late October to establish who would become WBO mandatory challenger facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had positioned himself as next in line to challenge Oleksandr Usyk after putting together a remarkable six wins in a row, however risked his shot at the title on the line in the UK and experienced a stoppage in round eleven.
Adverse Finding Plus Possible Outcomes
A standard screening administered to the boxer by the anti-doping organization the day he fought showed an adverse result which leaves the veteran boxer in a difficult position to prove his innocence.
His promotion team published an announcement which read: "Vada notified all required parties about Parker returned an adverse finding subsequent to an anti-doping test administered on the fight day. As the investigation continues, no more comments are planned currently."
Boxing Journey
Parker was crowned heavyweight champion back in 2016 until he was defeated for his championship belt via unanimous decision versus Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium two years later.
The fighter has been a regular competitor across the United Kingdom from that point, fighting eight times altogether in Britain and transferring to Ireland for training camps under respected coach Andy Lee over the past few years.
Recent Developments
Guided by Lee, the boxer recovered from his defeat in 2022 versus Joe Joyce to achieve a string of victories which put him as the top contender to challenge the champion before he was defeated against Wardley.
After Parker returned a failed test on the day of the Wardley fight, reportedly for cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome has been started.
- Parker tested positive for a prohibited substance.
- The examination was conducted by Vada on the fight day.
- The fighter now faces a potential ban from boxing.
- Queensberry has issued an announcement acknowledging the failed examination.
- A formal inquiry is currently underway about the situation.
