🔗 Share this article New Zealand's Joseph Parker Faces Potential Ban Following Positive Drugs Test Joseph Parker produced a positive sample during a drugs test carried out on the day he faced 11th-round defeat against English fighter Fabio Wardley. The Bout and Its Consequences Wardley together with Joseph Parker were part of a pulsating contest in London on 25 October to decide the identity of the mandatory WBO contender facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Joseph Parker had been the primary candidate to meet Oleksandr Usyk subsequent to stringing together an impressive six consecutive victories, yet put his shot at the title at stake in the UK and endured an 11th-round defeat. Adverse Finding Along with Possible Outcomes A routine test conducted on Parker through Vada the day of the match came back positive and leaves the veteran boxer with a battle to demonstrate his cleanliness. The boxer's representatives published an announcement stating: "The anti-doping body informed all relevant parties regarding Joseph Parker had a positive result after a doping test conducted on the 25th October. During the ongoing inquiry, no additional comment are planned at this time." Boxing Journey The New Zealand boxer became titleholder back in 2016 until he surrendered his championship belt by unanimous decision against British star Joshua in Cardiff in 2018. Joseph Parker became an active participant in the UK after that, fighting eight times altogether in the UK and transferring to Ireland for fight camps with respected coach Andy Lee during this period. Current Situation Guided by Lee, Joseph Parker recovered from the 2022 setback versus Joe Joyce to secure multiple wins that placed him as the top contender to meet Oleksandr Usyk prior to he lost to Wardley. After Parker's sample showed a positive test on the day of the Wardley fight, reportedly involving cocaine, an investigation about the test outcome has commenced. Parker returned an adverse finding for a prohibited substance. The examination was administered via the anti-doping agency on the fight day. The fighter could receive disciplinary action from the sport. His representatives has issued a statement addressing the adverse finding. An investigation is now in progress about the situation.