New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker faces a potential two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine on October 25, the day he lost to Fabio Wardley in London. The 33-year-old former world champion has denied wrongdoing and is cooperating with an ongoing investigation.
Parker addressed the adverse test result in an Instagram post. «I want to address today's news. Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result,» he wrote. «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.»
The Auckland-born boxer expressed confidence the investigation will clear his name. «I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name,» Parker stated. He thanked supporters for their messages, adding: «When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.»
Career implications
The positive test threatens to derail Parker's comeback. He had built a six-fight winning streak and was next in line to challenge undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk before suffering an 11th-round stoppage against Wardley at the O2 Arena. The fight determined the WBO mandatory challenger for Usyk.
Parker became world champion in 2016 but lost his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua two years later. He trains in Dublin under highly-regarded coach Andy Lee and has fought eight times in the UK.
Queensberry, Parker's promotional company, confirmed the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed all parties of the adverse finding. «While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time,» the company stated Friday morning.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
