The New Zealand heavyweight returned an adverse finding during a anti-doping examination carried out the very day he fought in 11th-round loss against UK boxer Fabio Wardley.
Wardley along with Joseph Parker participated in a thrilling contest staged in the UK capital last October to establish who would become WBO mandatory challenger facing unified heavyweight titleholder Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker had positioned himself as next in line to face the champion after putting together a remarkable six-fight winning streak, however risked his contender position on the line in the UK and endured a stoppage in round eleven.
A standard screening conducted on Parker through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency the day he fought returned positive and now leaves Parker facing a challenge to clear his name.
His promotion team issued a communique stating: "The anti-doping body notified all relevant parties regarding Joseph Parker returned an adverse finding subsequent to a drug screening carried out on the 25th October. As the investigation continues, no more comments will be made for now."
Joseph Parker was crowned titleholder in 2016 before he lost his WBO belt by unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua in Cardiff two years later.
Parker became an active participant across the United Kingdom from that point, fighting eight times overall in the UK and relocating to Ireland for fight camps alongside highly regarded trainer Andy Lee over the past few years.
Coached by Andy Lee, Joseph Parker overcame his 2022 loss to British heavyweight Joyce to chalk up a string of victories that placed him as the top contender to meet Usyk before he suffered defeat to the British fighter.
Subsequent to Parker returned a failed test on the day of the Wardley fight, allegedly for cocaine, an investigation into the findings has commenced.
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