A former world heavyweight champion has become the latest high-profile fighter to fail a drugs test.
Over the years a number of big names have had to deal with failed drugs test, but this most recent revelation has come as a shock to many in the boxing world.
It has been revealed that former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker failed a drugs test for cocaine on the day of his fight with Fabio Wardley last month.
The two fighters met at the O2 Arena on October 25, with Wardley claiming an 11th round stoppage victory to move a step closer to a shot at undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, but that win has now been overshadowed following Parker’s failed test.
According to The Sun, Parker was tested by the Voluntary Anti Doping Agency on October 25, and the adverse analytical finding was revealed on Friday morning. Parker has the opportunity to have the B sample tested, but it is rare that it will be different from the A sample.
Cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine traces commonly remain in a system for around four days, meaning, if the report is confirmed, Parker must have contracted the drug at some stage during the fight week activities.
VADA will now hand their findings over to UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control who will oversee the situation, and even though cocaine is a recreational drug and not a performance enhancing drug, they have set a big precedent in the past when giving boxer Liam Cameron a four-year ban when he tested positive for cocaine.
