Parker Cleared After Three-Month Cocaine Suspension

Heavyweight Joseph Parker has been cleared to resume fighting after completing a three-month suspension tied to a positive cocaine test.

The New Zealand contender tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year, with the finding later traced to contaminated nutritional products provided by a member of his team, ESPN reports. Parker accepted a provisional ban while the case was reviewed, and boxing's governing bodies have now lifted the restriction.

Parker Ban Traced To Contaminated Supplements

Investigators determined the positive result came from supplements Parker consumed during camp. A nutritionist working with the former WBO titleholder reportedly supplied the tainted material without disclosing its full contents. Parker cooperated throughout the inquiry and was not found to have knowingly ingested a banned substance.

The suspension ran from late March through late June, covering the mandatory quiet period after the failed test. Parker has been training freely since the ban expired and is now eligible to accept fight offers. His team has not yet announced a return date or opponent.

Parker last fought in February, stopping Zhilei Zhang in eight rounds in Saudi Arabia. He holds a 35-4 record with 23 knockouts and remains ranked among the top heavyweights by all four major sanctioning bodies.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Parker free to fight, served three-month drugs ban