Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Friday, November 14, 2025, 4:33 p.m. / Updated Friday, November 14, 2025, 4:46 p.m.
New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker tested positive for doping before his fight with Fabio Wardley. The former heavyweight champion (2016-2018) was tested on October 25, the day before the Wardley fight.
According to the BBC, he did not use performance-enhancing substances, but cocaine was detected in his system.
Joseph Parker, tested positive for cocaine
Before the boxing match against Fabio Wardley, Joseph Parker was tested for doping. The New Zealander lost the fight in October and missed the chance to face Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion. The length of Parker's suspension could range from three months to two years.
Frank Warren, manager of Queensberry Promotions, confirmed that the athlete tested positive for cocaine.
The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) last night informed all parties involved that Joseph Parker had tested positive for doping on October 25 in connection with his match with Fabio Wardley. While the matter is under further investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.
– Frank Warren, manager of Queensberry Promotions
In a similar case, British boxer Liam Cameron was banned for four years after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in 2018. But the rules have since changed, with rugby player Adam Rusling receiving a three-month ban in 2024 for testing positive for cocaine and MDMA.
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Joseph Parker held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018. Regionally, he held several heavyweight championships, including the WBO Oriental, Africa and Oceania titles, as well as the PABA, OPBF and New Zealand titles.
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The victory over Deontay Wilder in December 2023 is considered the best result of his career.
