Ex-world champ Joseph Parker faces ban after failed drug test

Field Level Media|published: 11/14/2025, 12:42pm EST

Dec 7, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the ring in which Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will box in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 8th. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker faces a possible ban from boxing after reportedly testing positive for cocaine.

The 33-year-old New Zealander failed a drug test after his most recent fight on Oct. 25, The Sun reported on Friday.

Parker lost that fight by TKO to England's Fabio Wardley in the 11th round at The O2 Arena in London.

Parker (36-4 with 24 knockouts) was tested by the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency. Any suspension would come from the UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Control, and it could range anywhere from three months to two years, per the report.

Parker held the WBO heavyweight championship from December 2016 to March 2018, when he lost to England's Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision.

--Field Level Media