🔗 Share this article New Zealand's Joseph Parker Could Receive Potential Ban Due to Positive Doping Test Former world champion Parker produced a positive sample as part of a anti-doping examination conducted on the day he faced 11th-round defeat versus British heavyweight Fabio Wardley. The Bout Plus the Stakes The British boxer and the New Zealander were part of a thrilling bout staged in the UK capital in late October to establish who would become WBO mandatory challenger against undisputed world heavyweight champion Ukrainian champion Usyk. Joseph Parker was previously next in line to face Usyk subsequent to compiling a remarkable six wins in a row, but placed his contender position on the line in London and suffered a stoppage in round eleven. Adverse Finding Along with Possible Outcomes A routine test conducted on the boxer via Vada the day of the match came back positive and now leaves the veteran boxer facing a challenge to clear his name. His promotion team published a statement which read: "The agency notified everyone involved regarding Joseph Parker had a positive result after a drug screening administered on the 25th October. During the ongoing inquiry, no additional comment are forthcoming currently." Career Background The New Zealand boxer earned the title of heavyweight champion back in 2016 prior to he lost his WBO belt by unanimous decision against British star Joshua in Cardiff 24 months later. Joseph Parker remained a regular competitor across the United Kingdom since then, fighting eight times altogether in the UK and transferring to Dublin for training camps with respected coach former champion Lee in recent years. Recent Developments Coached by Andy Lee, Joseph Parker bounced back from his defeat in 2022 against British heavyweight Joyce to secure a string of victories which put him front of the queue to face Oleksandr Usyk until he suffered defeat to Wardley. After the boxer produced an adverse finding when he fought Wardley, allegedly for cocaine, an investigation into the findings is underway. The boxer returned an adverse finding for an illegal substance. The test took place via the anti-doping agency the day of the bout. The fighter is confronting a potential ban from boxing. His representatives published an announcement acknowledging the positive test. An investigation has been in progress into the matter.