Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has announced his suspension has been lifted following a failed drug test after his defeat to Britain's Fabio Wardley last October. The 34-year-old boxer confirmed on Wednesday that he will return to the ring soon.
Traces of cocaine were discovered in a routine test given to UK Anti-Doping on the day of Parker's loss by 11th-round stoppage at The O2. Parker, who denied taking any banned substances, could have faced up to a two-year ban from boxing.
Robert Smith, General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, declined to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News. However, Smith confirmed that the suspension has been lifted.
Statement on suspension
"I'm pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I'll be back in the ring soon. I've been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters," Parker said on Wednesday.
Parker, 34, is a former world champion who lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018. However, he went into his fight against Wardley in arguably the best form of his career.
Fight record and mandatory position
After a punishing loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker won his next six contests prior to facing Wardley. That winning streak included statement victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, as well as winning the WBO Interim strap.
He was due to challenge then-IBF belt-holder Daniel Dubois in February, only for Dubois to fall ill just days before the fight was meant to take place. Parker put his position as the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk on the line by taking the fight against Wardley, but it was a gamble that backfired.
