In a bombshell revelation that’s rocked the heavyweight division, former WBO world champion Joseph Parker has been hit with a positive drug test for cocaine on the day of his October 25 defeat to Fabio Wardley. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) confirmed the adverse finding, paving the way for a potential two-year ban that could derail Parker’s comeback dreams.
The test, conducted hours before Parker’s 11th-round stoppage loss at London’s O2 Arena, detected traces of the banned substance in his system. Queensberry Promotions, Parker’s team, issued a statement Friday: “VADA informed all parties that Joseph returned an adverse finding on October 25.” The news dropped like a hammer, erasing Parker’s post-fight momentum.
Parker, 33, from New Zealand, entered the bout as a favorite to secure a mandatory shot at Oleksandr Usyk. Wardley’s dramatic KO victory – a controversial stoppage many called premature – now hangs under a cloud, with calls for a rematch frozen pending investigation.
The heavyweight, with a 36-4 record (27 KOs), vehemently denies intentional use. “I’ve never taken any prohibited substance,” Parker posted on Instagram, vowing to test his B-sample. “This is a shock – I’ll fight for the truth.” His camp points to possible contamination, echoing past cases like Amir Khan’s 2022 clomiphene positive.
VADA’s protocol mandates a two-year suspension for first-time cocaine offenses under the WBC Clean Boxing Program. If upheld, Parker – who rebounded from 2022’s Joe Joyce loss with four wins – faces exile until 2027, missing prime opportunities against Usyk, Fury, or Joshua.
Wardley, 30, celebrated the news cautiously: “If true, it’s gutting – but integrity matters.” Promoter Frank Warren, handling both, faces scrutiny: “Joseph’s a warrior; we’ll get answers.” UKAD and BBBofC are now involved, with hearings slated for December.
Social media ignited: #ParkerBanned trended with 1.5M posts, memes of his post-fight ice bath captioned “Clean… or not?” Fans split – some cry “cheater,” others “witch hunt.” Dillian Whyte tweeted: “Happens too often – test everything.”
Parker’s history adds layers: A 2018 clenbuterol trace (cleared as tainted meat) and rigorous VADA compliance since. Trainer Andy Lee: “He’s spotless – this smells off.” Experts like Teddy Atlas: “Cocaine in heavyweights? Rare, but devastating if proven.”
Financial fallout looms: Parker’s $10M+ earnings streak halts, sponsors like BetMGM pause. Usyk’s camp eyes Wardley as next foe, sidelining Parker further.
As B-sample results pend (expected next week), the boxing world watches. Parker vows: “I’ll be back stronger.” But with two years on the line, is this KO his toughest?
For Joseph Parker drug test updates, VADA cocaine positive 2025, Parker Wardley fight controversy, and heavyweight ban news, stay tuned. Story developing.
