Boxing Shocker: Joseph Parker Cleared After Cocaine Controversy Linked to Nutritionist

Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has officially been cleared to resume his fighting career after serving a three-month ban stemming from a positive drugs test. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirmed on Thursday that Parker had completed his suspension, which was imposed following a test conducted by the voluntary anti-doping agency (VADA).

Parker provided a urine sample in the early hours of October 26, following his fight against Fabio Wardley in London that night. The test results indicated a positive finding for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Subsequently, Parker was informed of a provisional suspension in November.

In response to the provisional suspension, Parker sought time from UKAD to present evidence suggesting that the adverse analytical finding was a result of contamination. UKAD later disclosed that Parker's nutritionist, who he had employed since 2023 and worked with in preparation for the bout on October 25, 2025, had confessed to being "a regular user of cocaine" and had used the substance daily in the week leading up to the fight. Throughout this period, Parker and his team consistently maintained that he had not knowingly taken any illegal or banned substances.

Following an independent expert's assessment, it was determined that Parker's ingestion of cocaine would have occurred "out of competition" and "in a context unrelated to sport performance." Satisfied with these findings, UKAD lifted Parker's provisional ban and subsequently imposed a three-month suspension. This period was deemed to have been served between November 2025 and February 2026, accounting for Parker's time out of the ring.

Parker formally accepted the ban in July. On Wednesday, he confirmed that his provisional suspension had been lifted and that he was cleared to fight again, stating his pleasure at the news and his anticipation of returning to the ring soon. He also conveyed his gratitude to his supporters, adding that he had been advised to offer no further comment while final details were being arranged.