Former heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker has been cleared of breaking drug rules after proving an adverse test finding was caused by exposure to his nutritionist taking cocaine. The 34-year-old New Zealander was found with traces of the Class A drug in his system on the day of his defeat by Fabio Wardley last October following a test conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
Parker denied knowingly taking the substance, and a UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) investigation has now ruled in his favour. UKAD found the boxer provided enough evidence that his positive test was due to exposure to cocaine taken by his nutritionist.
Parker was suspended for three months before that ban was lifted in June when UKAD determined the ingestion of cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine took place out of competition and was "in a context unrelated to sport performance."
UK Anti-Doping investigation findings
UKAD said that on 6 March 2026, Parker provided evidence claiming the adverse analytical finding resulted from exposure to cocaine used by the nutritionist he employed in preparation for the bout on 25 October 2025.
The nutritionist stated that he was a regular user of cocaine and had used cocaine daily in the week leading up to the bout.
Parker wrote on his social media channels: "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."
Heavyweight career and future fights
Parker has been a regular at the top of the heavyweight division over the last decade, winning the WBO world title in 2016 before losing it against Anthony Joshua two years later in Cardiff. He will be looking to improve his record of 36 wins and four defeats.
His manager, David Higgins, said Parker is "relieved and excited" by the outcome of the investigation. Higgins told Sky Sports that Parker is free to fight again and could compete twice before the end of the year.
"Joseph is champing at the bit to get back into the ring. He was up early to go for a run this morning," Higgins told Sky Sports. "He feels like he is at the peak of his powers and they say a heavyweight only reaches his prime in his thirties. Joseph is only 34 and if you look at the names on his resume, you could call him a veteran but he's still relatively young."
Higgins added: "Joseph has said to me that he would love to fight this year. It could be a tune-up, then a big fight at the end of the year or it could be a big fight at the end of the year."
