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joseph parker Denied taking “any prohibited substance” after failing a drugs test.
A routine test by a New Zealander Given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) on the day of its match against fabio wardley A positive result reportedly came back last month for cocaine, leaving Parker in the fight to prove his innocence.
Writing on Instagram, Parker said: “I want to address today’s news. Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it has returned an adverse result.
“It was a real surprise for me. I did not take any banned substances, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use.
“I am fully cooperating with the ongoing process, and I am confident that the investigation will clear my name.”
Ipswich-born Wardley and New Zealander Parker Produced an exciting encounter at the O2 Arena on October 25 to determine who will become the WBO mandatory challenger for undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker was next in line to face Usyk after an impressive six-fight winning streak, but he put his mandatory challenger status on the line in London and suffered an 11th-round defeat in what could now prove to be his last fight for a long time.
“Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support. It means a lot to me and my family. When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions,” the 33-year-old said on Instagram.
Parker’s promotional company Queensberry released a statement on Friday morning, reading: “The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) last night informed all relevant parties that Joseph Parker has received an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on October 25 in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley.
“While the matter is being further investigated, no additional comment will be made at this time.”
Auckland-born Parker became world champion in 2016, before losing Anthony Joshua wins WBO belt by unanimous decision Two years later at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
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Since then Parker has been a frequent visitor to these shores, having fought a total of eight times in the UK and in recent years relocating to Dublin for training camps with highly respected trainer Andy Lee.
Under Lee’s tutelage, Parker bounced back from a loss to Joe Joyce in 2022 on a winning streak that put him in line to face Usyk, before suffering a loss to Wardley.
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