Ex-world Champion Parker Fails Drugs Test For Cocaine

Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is facing a imaginable prohibition from boxing aft testing affirmative for cocaine.

The 33-year-old New Zealander grounded a narcotics trial connected nan time of his fight pinch Fabio Wardley connected 26 October, according to the Sun., external

He was tested by nan Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (Vada) connected 25 October.

Sources person confirmed to BBC Sport Parker tested affirmative for nan recreational supplier and not capacity enhancing drugs.

Parker could person a two-year prohibition but could besides beryllium suspended for arsenic small arsenic 3 months depending connected circumstances.

Any prohibition would beryllium handed down by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and nan British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC).

Ukad, however, did not administer this trial and will request to behaviour their ain investigation.

Queensberry person been informed by Vada astir nan grounded test.

The BBC has contacted Vada, Parker's promoters Queensberry and nan BBBC for comment.

Boxer Liam Cameron was fixed a four-year prohibition successful 2019 for testing affirmative for benzoylecgonine, a metabolic acerb of cocaine, but rules person changed since past pinch Rugby League subordinate Adam Rusling getting a three-month prohibition successful 2024 for testing affirmative for cocaine and MDMA.

Parker was hoping to put himself successful position for a changeable astatine undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk but was upset by British combatant Wardley astatine nan O2 Arena.

Parker was heavyweight champion betwixt 2016 and 2018, pinch his reign ended by Britain's Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.