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, determined the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Parker had been next in line for Usyk following a six-fight winning streak but lost his status after the stoppage loss.
A routine test administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (Vada) on the day of the fight returned positive. Parker's promotional company, Queensberry, released a statement on Friday confirming the adverse finding and stating no further comment would be made while the matter is investigated.
In an Instagram statement on Saturday, Parker said he was surprised by the result and insisted he did not take any prohibited substance. He added he is cooperating fully with the process and is confident the investigation will clear his name.
The positive test is reportedly for cocaine. Parker, a former WBO champion who lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018, has fought eight times in the UK and trained in Dublin under Andy Lee.
