Joseph Parker has spoken out after it emerged that he tested positive for cocaine on the day of his fight with Fabio Wardley.
Parker, 33, who previously held the WBO heavyweight title between 2016 and 2018, suffered a knockout defeat against Britain’s Wardley in the 11th round of the pair’s bout at the O2 Arena in London on October 25.
It has since been reported that the New Zealander tested positive for cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test. The adverse analytical finding was revealed on Friday (November 14).
The drug is considered to be recreational rather than performance-enhancing.
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Team Parker will likely have the chance to undertake a B-sample, but the majority of tests return similar, if not identical, findings.
Parker’s promoter, Queensberry Promotions, released a statement which said that the “matter is being investigated further” on Friday.
Typically, traces of cocaine remain in urine for a period of about four days.
Parker’s potential sanction is still unclear, but fellow boxer Liam Cameron received a four-year ban when he tested positive for the substance in 2020.
Meanwhile, John Donnelly was slapped with a two-year ban for the same thing in 2013.
Parker, who boasts a record of 36 wins from 40 professional bout, has since addressed the findings and claimed the result came as “a real surprise” before saying that he “did not take any prohibited substances”.
"Before my recent fight, I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result," Parker wrote on his Instagram account.
"This came as a real surprise to me.
"I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance-enhancing drugs, and do not support their use.
"I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name."
Any potential ban would be enforced by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC). UKAD needs to carry out its own test to launch an investigation.
"When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions," added Parker.
The 33-year-old held the WBO interim heavyweight title before his loss to Wardley and has been heavily linked with a potential bout with the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
SPORTbible has contacted VADA and the BBBofC for comment.
Topics: Joseph Parker, Boxing
Luke Davies