Joseph Parker’s boxing ban lifted after failed drug test

Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is free to fight again, with his ban having been lifted after he apparently tested positive for cocaine.

Before suffering a controversial stoppage loss to Fabio Wardley in October, traces of cocaine were reportedly found in a test given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency by Parker.

Yet the result of the test was only made public after Parker’s 11th-round loss at London’s O2 Arena, with which he lost the interim WBO heavyweight belt.

Joseph Parker in October 2025, before his most-recent bout (Steven Paston/PA Wire)

Parker, 34, denied taking any banned substances and insisted that he does not take performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Despite cocaine being a recreational drug and not a PED, taking it can lead to a multiple-year ban for a boxer.

Little was shared about the process in Parker’s case, with a ban never publicly confirmed, but now the New Zealander has issued a statement on the matter.

“I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted, and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker said on Wednesday, per the BBC.

“I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters.”

The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed to the BBC that Parker’s provisional suspension has been lifted, although it added that it “cannot make any further comment at this stage”.

Parker’s loss to Wardley was the fourth of his career, and it ended a six-fight win streak for the former world champion.

The Kiwi holds wins over the likes of Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole, while his previous defeats came at the hands of Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte.