Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is dealing with a possible ban from boxing after testing constructive for cocaine forward of final month’s defeat to Fabio Wardley.
The 33-year-old New Zealander returned an antagonistic end in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Affiliation (VADA) take a look at carried out on 25 October, a day earlier than he was overwhelmed by Wardley on the O2 Enviornment.
Sources confirmed to BBC Sport that the substance detected was leisure cocaine, not a performance-enhancing drug. Parker’s promoter, Queensberry Promotions, acknowledged the antagonistic discovering however declined to remark additional whereas investigations proceed.
Learn Additionally: Parker, Wardley heavyweight clash set for October 25 at London’s O2 Arena
Beneath anti-doping rules, Parker may face a ban starting from three months to 2 years, relying on the circumstances. Any sanction can be issued by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Management (BBBC), although UKAD should first perform its personal inquiry, because it didn’t administer the unique take a look at.
Precedents range: boxer Liam Cameron obtained a four-year ban in 2019 for benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite), whereas rugby league participant Adam Rusling was suspended for 3 months in 2024 after testing constructive for cocaine and MDMA below up to date guidelines.
The constructive take a look at is a serious setback for Parker, who was aiming to place himself for a future shot at undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Parker beforehand held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 earlier than dropping it to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.
