Former New Zealand heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker tested positive for cocaine on the day of his October bout with Britain’s Fabio Wardley, promoter Queensberry Promotions has confirmed.
The result, detected in a VADA test, has shocked Parker’s camp, which says it is seeking urgent discussions as the investigation continues.
Parker was stopped in the 11th round by Wardley in their WBO interim title clash, and any sanction will be decided by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Previous cocaine-related bans have lasted up to four years, though rules have since evolved. Parker, who won the WBO world title in 2016 and lost it to Anthony Joshua in 2018, has held the interim belt since defeating Zhang Zhilei last year.
