{"id":572107,"date":"2025-11-15T13:40:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T13:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/572107\/"},"modified":"2025-11-15T13:40:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T13:40:15","slug":"joseph-parker-denies-taking-prohibited-substance-after-testing-positive-for-cocaine-hours-before-fabio-wardley-fight-as-surprised-heavyweight-star-vows-to-clear-his-name-in-passionate-defence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/572107\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph Parker DENIES ‘taking prohibited substance’ after testing positive for cocaine hours before Fabio Wardley fight – as ‘surprised’ heavyweight star vows to clear his name in passionate defence"},"content":{"rendered":"

By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 05:34 EST, 15 November 2025 | Updated: 05:34 EST, 15 November 2025 <\/p>\n

Joseph Parker<\/a> has pleaded his innocence and denied that he took a prohibited substance in the build-up to his fight with Fabio Wardley last month.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Friday, news broke that Parker had tested positive for cocaine<\/a> on the day of that bout, with his UK manager verifying reports later in the day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former world champion, 33, was tested by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency) on October 25 and an adverse finding was subsequently revealed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Parker, who lost to Wardley in a major upset, failed the test, with cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine showing up in the findings.\u00a0In most cases the B-sample shows up with exactly the same result and VADA will give their findings to the BBBoC (British Boxing Board of Control).\u00a0<\/p>\n

The governing body will then decide on any potential punishment for Parker, which could end up being a lengthy ban from boxing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, taking to Instagram early on Saturday morning (GMT), the Kiwi fighter expressed his surprise at the news.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Joseph Parker has pleaded his innocence after news broke that he tested positive for cocaine\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Parker <\/p>\n

Parker expressed his ‘surprise’ at the news and denied ‘taking any prohibited substance’<\/p>\n

His social media post began: ‘I want to address today’s news.<\/p>\n

‘Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me.<\/p>\n

‘I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use.<\/p>\n

‘I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name.<\/p>\n

‘Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It means a great deal to me and my family.<\/p>\n

‘When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.’<\/p>\n

Speaking on Friday,\u00a0Spencer Brown, who manages Parker in the UK, had given his instant reaction to the bombshell news.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said: ‘We are in total shock at the findings, we are just waiting to speak to Joe, David Higgins and his promoter Frank Warren.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Parker <\/p>\n

Parker lost the fight to Fabio Wardley (R) on October 25, the day he tested positive for cocaine<\/p>\n

‘It’s very early days and we will get to the bottom of it all.’<\/p>\n

Parker’s promotional company Queensberry added a statement which read: ‘The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) last night informed all required parties that Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding following an anti-doping test conducted on the 25th October in relation to his bout with Fabio Wardley.<\/p>\n

‘While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time.’<\/p>\n

According to boxing expert Mike Coppinger, Parker could have consumed the drug as little as 48 hours before fight night.<\/p>\n

‘Cocaine is water soluble – eliminated when one urinates and sweats – and only stays in the system around 48 hours,’ he tweeted on Friday.\u00a0‘Can be longer with heavy use. But casual use usually 48 hours and three days max.’<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) say cocaine can be detected in urine up to four days after consumption.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Parker is currently on holiday but will have the opportunity to have his B-sample tested.<\/p>\n

Even though cocaine is considered a recreational rather than performance-enhancing drug, he could still face years out of the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back in 2018, British boxer Liam Cameron was banned for four years after he tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, though he denied any wrongdoing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Parker is a father of six and was with his wife and children during the week of the Wardley fight, which he lost via an 11th-round stoppage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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