Ex-boxing champion Joseph Parker faces ban after | Boxing News

Joseph Parker, a former heavyweight world champion, examined constructive for cocaine on the day of his defeat to Fabio Wardley. Parker was stopped in the eleventh spherical by Wardley last month, paving the way in which for the Ipswich man to problem Oleksandr Usyk. The conclusion of the match sparked a vital backlash from the boxing group, who argued that referee Howard Foster prematurely ended the battle, despite a number of of Wardley’s punches lacking their mark and Parker remaining upright.

Despite being forward on the scorecards, Parker needed to survive the ultimate two rounds without injury to keep his WBO interim championship title. On October 25, the day of the London-based Wardley battle, the New Zealander was examined by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency.

According to The Sun, the hostile discovering was disclosed on Friday morning. Parker’s group now has the possibility to request testing of the B-sample.

Cocaine is strictly forbidden during ‘in-competition’ intervals, which normally embody the time immediately before, during, and shortly after a bout. It stays unclear how the drug entered Parker’s system.

The 33-year-old may face a two-year suspension, despite cocaine being a leisure substance fairly than a performance-enhancing drug.

A source close to the Kiwi boxer’s camp told The Sun: “I am absolutely shocked. This has been the first camp where Joe has all of his family around. The camp had gone great and he put on a good performance in a great fight.”

According to the publication, Parker is presently taking some time out from boxing following his conflict with Wardley.

After the loss, the New Zealand fighter will now return to fundamentals as he seeks to rebuild his path in the direction of championship glory.

Parker claimed the WBO belt in 2016 after securing a majority determination triumph over Andy Ruiz Jr.

He efficiently retained the distinguished championship twice against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before enduring a punishing loss to Anthony Joshua in 2018.

The New Zealander made his comeback just months after his defeat to ‘AJ,’ but encountered another setback – falling to Dillian Whyte in London.

He was subsequently compelled to climb back up the rankings, and re-established himself as a main challenger following consecutive victories over Derek Chisora.

Parker was then granted an alternative for the WBO interim championship against Joe Joyce three years in the past, but was devastatingly halted by the British fighter in the penultimate spherical. Parker loved a triumphant 2023 marketing campaign, securing victory in all 4 of his contests, including a landmark triumph over former champion Deontay Wilder.

He subsequently discovered himself back in competition for championship honours after overcoming Zhilei Zhang last yr to seize the WBO interim crown.

The heavyweight was scheduled to face Daniel Dubois earlier this yr, though the British fighter was compelled to withdraw mere days before the bout.

Instead, the New Zealander confronted Martin Bakole at short discover, requiring only a matter of minutes to go away his heavyweight opponent unconscious.

After his current loss to Wardley, Parker is searching for an on the spot rematch, though he stays receptive to confronting another British opponent next.

He told Sky Sports: “I’ve been wanting a rematch with Joshua. I want to avenge those losses. I know AJ’s another big fight, I don’t really care who I fight, just make sure it’s someone who’s top five in the world.”