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Live sport on SN this weekend'I'm ready to fight': Nutritionist's cocaine use behind Parker's positive test, anti-doping body finds
Sport Nation •  August 7th, 2026 11:16 am
Joseph Parker | Photo: Photosport
Fresh details have emerged over former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker's positive cocaine test, with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) concluding the substance entered his system through contamination caused by his nutritionist.
The Kiwi heavyweight has completed a three-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine following his bout against Fabio Wardley in London last October. At the time of the announcement, UKAD confirmed Parker is free to return to competition.
Parker has consistently denied knowingly taking any prohibited substance, and UKAD accepted evidence that the positive test was unrelated to sporting performance.
According to the anti-doping body, Parker submitted evidence in March explaining the positive result was caused by exposure to cocaine used by the nutritionist he had hired in the lead-up to the fight.
"The nutritionist stated that he was a regular user of cocaine and had used cocaine daily in the week leading up to the bout," UKAD said in a statement.
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Parker was tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on the day of his fight with Wardley before also returning a positive result from a UKAD test conducted in the early hours of the following morning.
UKAD determined the cocaine ingestion occurred out of competition and in a context unrelated to enhancing sporting performance, resulting in Parker's provisional suspension being lifted after serving a three-month ban.
"I'm pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I'll be back in the ring soon," Parker said after learning the outcome.
At a press conference on Thursday for this weekend's David Nyika vs Floyd Masson heavyweight bout, Parker admitted the ordeal had taken its toll - although it wasn't without a silver lining.
"Damaging to the name, but also damaging to the career," he said.Â
"Time waits for no one - and time is one of those things you can't get back. But the beautiful thing is the time that I've been able to spend with my family.
"But I'm ready to get back now, and I'm ready to fight. Once I lock in a fight, I'm going to put in some time to be the best prepared I can be, and then I just want to go out there and do the best I can."
The 34-year-old's professional record stands at 36 wins and four losses. His defeat to Wardley cost him his status as the WBO's mandatory challenger to then-undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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