Joseph Parker Could Receive Imminent Disqualification Due to Positive Anti-Doping Test
The New Zealand heavyweight returned an adverse finding during a anti-doping examination administered the same day he faced 11th-round loss versus UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Fight Plus the Stakes
The British boxer and Joseph Parker participated in a pulsating contest staged in the UK capital in late October to determine who would become WBO mandatory challenger facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
The fighter had positioned himself as the primary candidate to face Usyk after stringing together a remarkable six consecutive victories, but put his mandatory challenger status in jeopardy during the bout and suffered an 11th-round defeat.
Adverse Finding and Implications
An ordinary examination administered to the boxer through Vada the day he fought returned positive which leaves the veteran boxer with a battle to demonstrate his cleanliness.
His promotion team published an announcement stating: "Vada alerted everyone involved regarding Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding subsequent to an anti-doping test administered on the 25th October. During the ongoing inquiry, no more comments will be made at this time."
Professional History
The New Zealand boxer was crowned heavyweight champion back in 2016 before he was defeated for the WBO title through a points decision versus British star Joshua in Cardiff two years later.
The fighter became a regular competitor in the UK since then, fighting eight times in total on UK territory and transferring to the Irish capital for preparation with highly regarded trainer Andy Lee over the past few years.
Recent Developments
Under the tutelage of Lee, Joseph Parker bounced back from the 2022 setback against Joe Joyce to achieve several successes positioning him as the top contender to meet Oleksandr Usyk before he was defeated to the British fighter.
Subsequent to the boxer produced an adverse finding during the Wardley bout, allegedly for cocaine, an inquiry regarding the results has been started.
- The boxer failed a drug test for a banned substance.
- The examination was conducted via the anti-doping agency on October 25th.
- The fighter now faces a potential ban from competition.
- His representatives released a comment addressing the positive test.
- An investigation is currently ongoing into the matter.
