Joseph Parker cleared to compete after cocaine test; final sanction pending
Joseph Parker, a 34-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion, had his provisional suspension lifted after testing positive for cocaine, according to BBC Sport. The former champion can return to competition, but faces a potential ban of up to two years pending investigation by UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control.
Joseph Parker's provisional suspension has been lifted, clearing the 34-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion to return to competition, according to BBC Sport. Parker was suspended after testing positive for cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) test administered on October 25.
The test came on the same day Parker fought Britain's Fabio Wardley at London's O2 Arena, per BBC Sport. Parker holds a professional record of 36 wins and four defeats. He was WBO heavyweight champion from 2016 to 2018 before losing the title to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, according to BBC Sport.
Parker stated, according to BBC Sport: "I'm pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I'll be back in the ring soon." He has denied knowingly taking any banned substances, per the reporting.
However, the lifting of the provisional suspension does not resolve the underlying case. UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) did not oversee the original Vada test and must conduct its own investigation before any final determination. Parker could face a ban of up to two years, with the sanction to be determined jointly by Ukad and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), according to BBC Sport. The BBBoC confirmed the provisional suspension has been lifted but declined further comment pending finalization of details.
Parker stated that he has been "advised to say no more for now while details are finalised," per BBC Sport, indicating the investigation remains in process.
Parker's provisional suspension has been lifted, clearing him to fight, but the final sanction from UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control remains unresolved.
Parker regains the right to train and compete, but the final outcome of the investigation by UK Anti-Doping remains open. The timeline for Ukad's investigation and any potential sanction determination is not yet clear, leaving his career arc uncertain despite the provisional clearance.
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Sources
Single-source report. As published, only BBC Sport had reported this development. No independent outlet had corroborated it.
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