New Zealand's Joseph Parker Faces Imminent Disqualification Following Positive Anti-Doping Test
The New Zealand heavyweight tested positive as part of a drugs test administered the very day he fought in 11th-round defeat against UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
The Fight and Its Stakes
The British boxer along with the New Zealander engaged in an intense bout held in London last October to determine who would become mandatory WBO contender against unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Joseph Parker had positioned himself as the leading contender to challenge Oleksandr Usyk after putting together a notable six-fight winning streak, however put his mandatory challenger status on the line during the bout and experienced an 11th-round defeat.
Adverse Finding and Possible Outcomes
A routine test given to the boxer by the anti-doping organization on the day of the bout returned positive and leaves the 36-year-old with a battle to prove his innocence.
Parker's promotional company issued a communique which read: "The anti-doping body alerted all required parties about Parker returned an adverse finding following a doping test administered on October 25th. While the matter is investigated, no additional comment will be made at this time."
Boxing Journey
Joseph Parker was crowned titleholder back in 2016 prior to he was defeated for his WBO belt through a points decision against Anthony Joshua in Wales in 2018.
Joseph Parker became an active participant in the UK since then, competing in eight bouts in total in Britain and moving to Ireland for preparation with highly regarded trainer Andy Lee over the past few years.
Recent Developments
Guided by Lee, the boxer recovered from his 2022 loss against British heavyweight Joyce to achieve multiple wins that placed him at the front of the line to meet the champion prior to he was defeated against Wardley.
Subsequent to the boxer produced a positive test when he fought Wardley, reportedly involving cocaine, a probe regarding the results is underway.
- Parker returned an adverse finding for a banned substance.
- The examination was conducted through Vada on the fight day.
- Joseph Parker could receive a potential ban from competition.
- Queensberry has issued a comment addressing the positive test.
- A review is now ongoing about the situation.