The former world heavyweight boxing champion failed a test on the day of his loss to Fabio Wardley, his promoter said.
Published November 14, 2025
New Zealand’s former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker failed a drug test on the day he fought Britain’s Fabio Wardley last month, manager Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions has confirmed.
British media previously reported that the 33-year-old had tested positive for traces of cocaine and could face a long-term ban.
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“The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) notified all parties last night that Joseph Parker had an adverse finding in an anti-doping test conducted on October 25th in connection with his fight with Fabio Wardley,” Queensberry said in a statement on Friday.
“This matter will be investigated further and no further comment will be made at this time.”
Wardley stopped the pugnacious Parker in 11 rounds in a WBO “interim” bout at London’s O2 Arena, earning him the right to challenge undisputed world champion Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which determines the length of suspensions, did not comment on next steps or the potential length of the suspension.
The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) declined to comment in line with standard practice.
Parker has not yet commented on his social media channels.
British boxer Liam Cameron tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in 2018 and was suspended for four years.
Parker won the WBO heavyweight title in 2016 by defeating Mexico’s Andy Ruiz for the vacated belt. In 2018, he lost the title to Anthony Joshua (UK).
He had held the WBO interim heavyweight title since March last year after defeating China’s Zhang Zhilei.
