Former world heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker has been cleared to return to the ring after serving a three-month suspension for a doping violation. Authorities attributed the positive cocaine test to his nutritionist.
The New Zealander, aged 34, tested positive for cocaine on the day of his loss to Fabio Wardley in London in October. United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed that the nutritionist employed by Parker before the fight was a regular user of cocaine.
Details of the Doping Violation
UKAD issued a statement confirming that Joseph Parker had served a three-month ban from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport due to the presence of a prohibited substance. The statement, released on Thursday, clarified that Parker is now free to participate in sport.
On March 6, 2026, Parker provided UKAD with evidence suggesting that the adverse analytical finding resulted from his exposure to cocaine used by his nutritionist. The nutritionist admitted to being a regular user of cocaine, stating he had used it daily in the week leading up to the bout on October 25, 2025.
Parker underwent testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) on October 25. On the same day, he was defeated by Briton Wardley at London’s O2 Arena. A UKAD test conducted in the early hours of October 26 also yielded a positive result.
UKAD concluded in June that Parker’s cocaine ingestion occurred out of competition and was therefore “in a context unrelated to sport performance,” which led to the lifting of his previous suspension. Parker has consistently denied knowingly taking any banned substances.
Parker’s Reaction and Future Plans
Parker expressed relief following the lifting of his provisional suspension. He stated, “It’s a good feeling. I’ve waited to get my name cleared and be back fighting. The details are being finalised and something will be released very soon, but for now, the provisional suspension’s been lifted, so that’s great news for us.”
He acknowledged that the time away from the sport had a significant cost, both to his reputation and career. However, he also found a silver lining in the opportunity to spend time with his family. Parker is now eager to return to fighting and aims to be a two-time world champion and unified world champion before his boxing career concludes.
The former WBO heavyweight champion admitted to experiencing a range of emotions during the suspension, including anger, surprise, and shock. He has since learned to accept the situation and is ready to move forward now that the matter is clear.
Parker’s professional record stands at 36 wins and four defeats. He held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, losing it to Britain’s Anthony Joshua in Cardiff. His defeat to Wardley, an 11th-round stoppage, also resulted in the loss of his status as WBO mandatory challenger to then-undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
With his comeback on the horizon, Parker is open to fighting any opponent in his division. He stated, “Everyone and anyone. I don’t care who it is. I think I’ve made it clear in the past that I’ll fight everyone there is in the division. Everyone can get it.”
Before his own return to the ring, Parker is involved in promoting an upcoming boxing event in Auckland. This event will feature David Nyika taking on Floyd Masson in an IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator on Saturday. Parker’s younger brother, John, is also scheduled to feature on the undercard.
Parker shared advice for his brother, encouraging him to relax, enjoy himself, and let his hard work manifest in the ring without forcing a knockout. While Joseph Parker will not be fighting on Saturday night, he expressed a strong desire to conclude his career with a final fight in Aotearoa, stating, “I will, 1000 percent before my career is done going to be back in New Zealand fighting.”
He envisions this final fight as a special occasion, with his wife, children, parents, and siblings present, along with the entire nation of New Zealand. He intends for it to be a way to thank his supporters and deliver his best performance. UKAD’s statement came the day after Parker himself announced that his ban had been lifted.
Source: aljazeera.com
