Heavyweight Joseph Parker Claims Innocence, Denies PED Result, Seeks to Clear His Name
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
London, UK (November 21st, 2025)– Former WBO World Heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who was stopped in the eleventh round of a bout with Fabio Wardley, claims he is innocent of a supposed VADA test result that tested positive for cocaine on the day of the fight, as reported on social media outlets.
Parker, 26-4 with 24 knockouts, Auckland, New Zealand, who lost the WBO interim World Heavyweight title to Wardley on October 25, 2025, at 02 Arena in Greenwich, United Kingdom, expressed disbelief at the reported prefight test result.
According to Parker, “Before my recent fight (with Fabio Wardley in England), I took a voluntary test, and have now been informed it returned an adverse (negative) result. This came as a real surprise to me. I did not take any prohibited substances. I did not use performance-enhancing drugs, and do not support their use. I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name. Thank you to everyone who has sent (me) messages of support. It means a great deal to me and my family (that people care). When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer (all) questions.”
Official Interpretation
Traces of the substance benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, were found in Parker’s prefight A-sample. Cocaine is a prohibited in-competition substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) codes, rules and regulations. The metabolite usually remains in the system for only a few days, suggesting Parker likely consumed the drug during the crucial fight week build-up, a violation of VDA and UK sporting rules and regulations.
Joseph Parker’s team now has the timely opportunity to have his urine B-sample tested, which was also taken at the same time the A-sample was taken and tested, a standard procedure. In the vast majority of cases, the result is the same as the A-sample, but not always. Interpretations of the lab results can differ for various reasons and lab analyses. The Joseph Parker lab findings have been passed to the United Kingdom Anti-Doping organization (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), who will then determine the final outcome and disposition of Parker’s case, make the final ruling, and assess any punishment if warranted after he investigation is complete. Parker could face a ban of up to two years, although this can be reduced depending on the circumstances, any possible mitigating factors based on the interpretation of the evidence presented, and the final outcome, as well as the ruling of VADA, UKAD, and the BBBofC.
English
No Comments Yet