Joseph Parker has responded to the reports of his positive drug test, denying that he took any banned substances, and says he’s “confident” that he’ll be cleared.

The former WBO heavyweight champion Parker (36-4, 24 KOs) came up positive for cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency test. He’s now facing a two-year ban, which takes the air out of what’s left of the 33-year-old’s career.

Wardley KO Still Looms

Parker’s future was already looking bleak after his 11th-round technical knockout loss to Fabio Wardley on October 25, 2025, at the O2 Arena in London, England. His complaint of a quick stoppage by referee Howard Foster did nothing to change the outcome of the fight. He was getting bludgeoned by Wardley at the time of the stoppage.

Parker’s Shock Statement

“Before my recent fight, I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me,” said Joseph Parker on Instagram.

“I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance-enhancing drugs, and I do not support their use. I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name. “When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.”

British Board Steps In

The British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating the positive test. It will be interesting to see if Parker can get cleared somehow. It’s going to be hard for a contamination excuse from supplements to be used the way some fighters do when PEDs show up in their tests. In this case, the substance being cocaine, the contamination from supplements excuse wouldn’t work.

The Aging Clock Ticks

Even if Parker is cleared, he’s got an uphill battle trying to resurrect his career after his loss to Wardley. The fundamental problem is that Parker isn’t a spring chicken at 33, and he can’t afford to spend two to three years trying to get back to where he was before his knockout loss to Fabio. If Parker could stop aging by putting himself in suspended animation, he’d be fine. But he’s going to age, and he’ll be vulnerable to the younger heavyweights in two or three years.

On the positive side, older fighters are now emerging from the woodwork, earning big money. Nostalgic fans want to see their old heroes willing to pay to watch them. So, Parker may find his way back to the top. Apart from that happening, Parker not looking good right now.