A stunning twist has shaken up the heavyweight division. New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker tested positive for cocaine on the very day of his most recent fight, which he lost by TKO to British puncher Fabio Wardley. If the result is confirmed by the B-sample, Parker could now face a lengthy suspension.
The fight took place on October 25 at London’s O2 Arena and was highly entertaining. After ten rounds, Parker was ahead on two scorecards, while the third had the fight even. However, as has happened before, Wardley managed to overturn the disadvantage thanks to the power in his punches, putting himself in line for a shot at unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Many fans called for an immediate rematch once the bout was over—not only because of the remarkable spectacle they had witnessed, but also because referee Howard Foster’s stoppage caused some discontent. Parker was certainly in trouble, but many of the punches thrown by Wardley during his final assault—despite Wardley himself looking exhausted—either missed the target or landed only glancingly.
Now, any possible rematch may be completely off the table, because the urine taken from Parker on the day of the fight, according to the tests performed on the A-sample, showed cocaine use by the Oceania boxer within the previous seven days.
Although cocaine does not enhance sports performance, its use is prohibited under boxing regulations. If the B-sample confirms the result, Parker will therefore certainly be suspended.