Joseph Parker has denied taking any prohibited substance after failing a drugs test on the day of his 11th-round stoppage defeat to British heavyweight Fabio Wardley. The New Zealander expressed confidence that an investigation would clear his name.
The bout, held in London on 25 October, was to determine the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Parker had been on a six-fight winning streak but lost his mandatory status after the stoppage.
A routine test by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada) returned positive. Parker's promotional company Queensberry confirmed the adverse finding on Friday, stating that no further comment would be made while the matter is investigated.
In a statement on Instagram, Parker said: '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.'
Parker, a former WBO world champion, has fought eight times in the UK and trained in Dublin under Andy Lee. The positive test reportedly relates to cocaine, and an investigation has been launched.
