🔗 Share this article New Zealand's Joseph Parker Could Receive Imminent Ban Following Positive Doping Test Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding as part of a drugs test administered the very day he fought in 11th-round stoppage to British heavyweight Fabio Wardley. The Fight Plus the Implications Wardley and Parker participated in an intense encounter staged in the UK capital last October to decide who would become mandatory WBO contender facing reigning heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. The fighter had positioned himself as the leading contender to face Usyk after compiling a notable six wins in a row, yet placed his shot at the title in jeopardy during the bout and suffered a stoppage in round eleven. Positive Test Plus Possible Outcomes An ordinary examination given to the boxer by Vada the day he fought returned positive and now leaves Parker with a battle to demonstrate his cleanliness. Parker's promotional company released a communique stating: "The agency informed all required parties regarding Joseph Parker had a positive result after a drug screening carried out on the 25th October. While the matter is investigated, no additional comment will be made currently." Career Background Joseph Parker earned the title of world champion six years ago prior to he lost his WBO belt via unanimous decision versus Anthony Joshua at the Millennium Stadium in 2018. Joseph Parker has been an active participant on British soil since then, fighting eight times overall in Britain and transferring to the Irish capital for training camps under esteemed mentor Andy Lee in recent years. Latest Events Coached by Andy Lee, Joseph Parker overcame his 2022 loss against Joe Joyce to achieve a string of victories positioning him as the top contender to meet Oleksandr Usyk until he suffered defeat to the British fighter. After Parker's sample showed an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, reportedly involving cocaine, a probe regarding the results is underway. The boxer returned an adverse finding for a prohibited substance. The test was administered via the anti-doping agency on October 25th. Joseph Parker now faces a potential ban from the sport. Queensberry published a comment addressing the adverse finding. A formal inquiry has been in progress into the matter.