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Live sport on SN this weekendJoseph Parker faces ban after failed dope test
Reuters • November 15th, 2025 6:00 am
Joseph Parker reportedly tested positive for cocaine on the day of his last big fight | Photo: Morgan Hancock/AAP
New Zealand's former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker has failed a dope test taken on the day he fought Britain's Fabio Wardley last month.
His manager Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions confirmed the news on Friday as British media reported the 33-year-old had tested positive for traces of cocaine and could face a lengthy ban from the sport.
"The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) last night informed all required parties that Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on the 25th October in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley," Queensberry said in a statement.
"While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time."
Wardley stopped favourite Parker in the 11th round at London's O2 Arena in the WBO 'Interim' title clash to earn the right to challenge Ukraine's undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which would decide the length of any ban, could not be reached for comment on the next steps and the length of any potential ban.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) would not comment, as is its standard practice.
British boxer Liam Cameron was banned for four years after he tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in 2018.
Parker won the WBO heavyweight title in 2016 by defeating Mexican Andy Ruiz for the vacant belt. He lost the title to Britain's Anthony Joshua in 2018.
He had held the WBO interim heavyweight title since March last year after defeating China's Zhang Zhilei.
