Joseph Parker was stopped within the eleventh spherical by Fabio Wardley final month in a battle that sparked outrage.
Fabio Wardley punches Joseph Parker (Picture: Getty Pictures) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Joseph Parker, a former heavyweight world champion, examined optimistic for cocaine on the day of his defeat to Fabio Wardley. Parker was stopped within the eleventh spherical by Wardley final month, paving the best way for the Ipswich man to problem Oleksandr Usyk. The conclusion of the match sparked a big backlash from the boxing neighborhood, who argued that referee Howard Foster prematurely ended the battle, regardless of a number of of Wardley’s punches lacking their mark and Parker remaining upright.
Regardless of being forward on the scorecards, Parker wanted to outlive the ultimate two rounds with out damage to maintain his WBO interim championship title. On October 25, the day of the London-based Wardley battle, the New Zealander was examined by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Company.
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In response to The Solar, the opposed discovering was disclosed on Friday morning. Parker’s crew now has the prospect to request testing of the B-sample.
Cocaine is strictly forbidden throughout ‘in-competition’ durations, which normally embody the time instantly earlier than, throughout, and shortly after a bout. It stays unclear how the drug entered Parker’s system.
The 33-year-old may face a two-year suspension, regardless of cocaine being a leisure substance relatively than a performance-enhancing drug.
A supply near the Kiwi boxer’s camp advised The Solar: “I’m completely shocked. This has been the primary camp the place Joe has all of his household round. The camp had gone nice and he placed on an excellent efficiency in an incredible battle.”
In response to the publication, Parker is presently taking a while out from boxing following his conflict with Wardley.
After the loss, the New Zealand fighter will now return to fundamentals as he seeks to rebuild his path in the direction of championship glory.
Parker claimed the WBO belt in 2016 after securing a majority choice overcome Andy Ruiz Jr.
Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley confronted off. (Picture: Getty Pictures)
He efficiently retained the distinguished championship twice towards Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury earlier than enduring a punishing loss to Anthony Joshua in 2018.
The New Zealander made his comeback simply months after his defeat to ‘AJ,’ however encountered one other setback – falling to Dillian Whyte in London.
He was subsequently compelled to climb again up the rankings, and re-established himself as a number one challenger following consecutive victories over Derek Chisora.
Parker was then granted a possibility for the WBO interim championship towards Joe Joyce three years in the past, however was devastatingly halted by the British fighter within the penultimate spherical. Parker loved a triumphant 2023 marketing campaign, securing victory in all 4 of his contests, together with a landmark overcome former champion Deontay Wilder.
He subsequently discovered himself again in competition for championship honours after overcoming Zhilei Zhang final yr to seize the WBO interim crown.
The heavyweight was scheduled to face Daniel Dubois earlier this yr, although the British fighter was compelled to withdraw mere days earlier than the bout.
As a substitute, the New Zealander confronted Martin Bakole at quick discover, requiring solely a matter of minutes to go away his heavyweight opponent unconscious.
After his current loss to Wardley, Parker is looking for an instantaneous rematch, although he stays receptive to confronting one other British opponent subsequent.
He advised Sky Sports activities: “I have been wanting a rematch with Joshua. I wish to avenge these losses. I do know AJ’s one other huge battle, I do not actually care who I battle, simply make certain it is somebody who’s high 5 on this planet.”
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