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Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding as part of a doping test administered the very day he faced 11th-round stoppage against UK boxer Fabio Wardley.

The Fight Plus the Stakes

Fabio Wardley and the New Zealander engaged in a pulsating bout staged in the UK capital on 25 October to determine who would become WBO mandatory challenger facing undisputed world heavyweight champion Ukrainian champion Usyk.

Parker had been the primary candidate to face Oleksandr Usyk after putting together an impressive six wins in a row, but placed his contender position at stake in London and endured an 11th-round defeat.

Adverse Finding Plus Possible Outcomes

A routine test given to the boxer via Vada the day of the match returned positive and now leaves the 36-year-old facing a challenge to prove his innocence.

His promotion team issued an announcement declaring: "The anti-doping body alerted all relevant parties regarding Joseph Parker tested positive after a drug screening conducted on the fight day. While the matter is investigated, no additional comment are forthcoming for now."

Professional History

Joseph Parker earned the title of world champion six years ago prior to he was defeated for his championship belt via unanimous decision to Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium 24 months later.

The fighter became an active participant in the UK from that point, having eight matches altogether on UK territory and transferring to Dublin for preparation alongside respected coach former champion Lee over the past few years.

Current Situation

Coached by Andy Lee, the boxer bounced back from his defeat in 2022 against Joe Joyce to chalk up several successes that placed him front of the queue to meet Oleksandr Usyk before he suffered defeat to Wardley.

After Parker's sample showed a failed test during the Wardley bout, reportedly involving cocaine, a probe about the test outcome has been started.

• The boxer failed a drug test for a prohibited substance.
• The examination was administered through Vada on October 25th.
• Joseph Parker is confronting a potential ban from boxing.
• His representatives published a statement addressing the positive test.
• A formal inquiry has been in progress about the situation.