Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has been cleared to return to boxing after completing a three-month ban for an anti-doping violation. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) determined that the 34-year-old New Zealander's positive cocaine test was caused by a nutritionist he had hired ahead of a fight.
Parker tested positive for cocaine on October 25, 2025, the same day he suffered a shock defeat to Fabio Wardley at The O2 in London. A sample collected by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) also returned the same result, as did a separate UKAD test conducted in the early hours of October 26.
According to a UKAD statement dated August 5, 2026, Parker provided evidence in March 2026 showing that his positive result came from exposure to cocaine used by his nutritionist. The nutritionist admitted to being a regular cocaine user, including daily use in the week before the fight.
In June, UKAD concluded that Parker's absorption of cocaine was out-of-competition and "unrelated to sporting performance," leading to the lifting of his provisional suspension. Parker has now completed his three-month ban and is free to resume all sporting activities.
A day earlier, Parker announced that the suspension had been lifted. He said: "I am pleased to confirm that my provisional suspension has been lifted and I will be back in the ring soon."
Parker held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 before losing to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff. The loss to Wardley cost him his position as the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Parker's professional record stands at 36 wins and 4 losses.
