Joseph Parker is keeping busy ahead of a return to the ring in the near future.
Joseph Parker (36-4, 24ko’s) was by the side of his good friend Tyson Fury (35-2-1, 24k0’s) throughout fight camp ahead of Fury’s shutout points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-3, 19ko’s) on Saturday.
But the man from New Zealand still has his own sights on becoming a two time heavyweight world champion.
In 2025, Parker was a victim of an 11th round stoppage to defeat to Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19ko’s), who was subsequently elevated from interim to the fully fledged WBO heavyweight world champion.
What came in the aftermath of the fight was much more shocking than Wardley’s underdog victory however.
In a VADA test on the day of the fight, Parker tested positive for the banned substance Cocaine.
The 34 year old has maintained his innocence ever since, but the process of exonerating any wrongdoing is still ongoing.
Speaking to IFL TV, the man from Auckland has provided an update:
“We’re going through the process at the moment, fingers crossed I hopefully get cleared soon, I did nothing wrong”.
“I know I did nothing wrong, I hope to be cleared soon, I want to be out this year”.
“That’s why I am so relaxed, if I did something wrong I would be hiding away”.
“It’s nice to be back in the UK and support Tyson”.
“I want the winner of Wardley-Dubois, if I get cleared soon I will fight anybody”.
Prior to the Wardley fight, Parker was one of the most in form fighters in the division.
His team up with Andy Lee has been heavily praised, and consecutive wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole in Riyadh back that up.
At 34, should Parker clear his name, there is still plenty of time for the Kiwi to rebuild to another shot at world title greatness.
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