New Zealand's former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker (36-4, 24 KOs), 34, has reportedly been informed that he has been cleared to return to boxing, according to information from the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD). This follows his provisional suspension after testing positive for cocaine. A sample was submitted to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) between October 25 and 26, 2025, after his technical knockout loss to Briton Fabio Wardley at the O2 Arena in London, Greenwich. Both tests revealed traces of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.
Benzoylecgonine is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, but the fight took place in London under the supervision of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC), which led to UKAD's involvement in the investigation.
What was learned during the investigation, according to Parker's statements, is that he is a frequent cocaine user and that he had used it during the week prior to the fight.
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