Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker faces boxing ban after drug test result

Boxing legend and former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has tested positive for cocaine, meaning he failed the drug test and could face a ban from boxing.

The Voluntary Anti Doping Agency (Vada) conducted the test on October 25, the day before his fight with Fabio Wardley.

Wardley pulled off the biggest victory of his career in the 11th round of his fight against Parker.

According to BBC Sports, the 33-year-old New Zealander did not test positive for performance-enhancing drugs but only for a recreational drug.

The British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping might suspend the athlete for a minimum of three months and he could face a boxing ban for up to two years.

Since debuting in July 2012, the boxer has had 40 doubts with a record 36 wins and four losses. 24 of his wins were with knockouts. 

He remained world heavyweight champion between 2016 and 2018.

Use of cocaine during competition is banned for boxing athletes as it is considered an S6 stimulant and a substance of abuse.

Several athletes have faced bans for violation of the drug policy, including Liam Cameron who faced four-year ban in 2019 for testing positive for benzoylecgonine. 

Adam Rusling, a rugby league player faced a 3-month ban for testing positive for cocaine in 2024.