Joseph Parker has announced he will return to the boxing ring soon after confirmation that his provisional suspension has been lifted following a failed drug test last year. The heavyweight tested positive for traces of cocaine in a routine test given to UK Anti-Doping on the day of his defeat to Fabio Wardley last October.
Parker, who denied taking any banned substances, had faced the prospect of up to a two-year ban from boxing following his loss by 11th-round stoppage at The O2 arena. General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, Robert Smith, declined to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News but confirmed that the suspension has been lifted.
"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.
Recent form and championship victories
The 34-year-old former world champion lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018, but he entered his bout against Wardley in arguably the best form of his career. Following a punishing loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker won his next six contests prior to the Wardley defeat.
That impressive run included statement wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, as well as winning the WBO Interim strap. Parker was scheduled to challenge then-IBF belt-holder Daniel Dubois in February, only for Dubois to fall ill just days before that fight was meant to take place.
Title chase and mandatory status
Parker put his position as the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk on the line by taking the fight against Wardley. However, that decision proved to be a gamble that backfired when Wardley stopped him at The O2.
