GOLD COAST, Australia – Joseph Parker was already attempting to recover from the disappointment of his stoppage defeat by Fabio Wardley when it was reported that he tested positive on the day of their fight – on October 25 at London’s O2 Arena – for cocaine.
The heavyweight, from New Zealand, potentially faces a two-year ban, regardless of cocaine being classified as a recreational, not performance-enhancing, drug.
He responded to the reports by saying, on social media: “Before my recent fight I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result. This came as a real surprise to me.
“I did not take any prohibited substance, I did not use performance enhancing drugs and do not support their use. I am cooperating fully with the process now underway, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name.
“Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It means a great deal to me and my family. When the investigation is complete, I will speak openly and answer questions.”
Parker, 33, regardless travelled to the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre to support his friend Jai Opetaia on the occasion of the Australian’s IBF cruiserweight title defence against Huseyin Cinkara. Having watched Opetaia win inside eight rounds, in conversation with BoxingScene, he then broke his silence.
BoxingScene: What’s your understanding of the latest regarding your positive drugs test?
Joseph Parker: At the moment, we’re just going through our process. Once we get a better understanding of what’s happening, then things will come up very soon.
How did you feel when you first heard?
I was devastated. You have to do all these voluntary drug tests in camp and then all of a sudden you get a bit of a surprise and shock that you fail on a fight day. So, I’m just gonna go through the process of trying to get it cleared, and I want to be in the ring as soon as possible.
Is this something you’ve discussed with your trainer and your promoter, Andy Lee and Frank Warren?
Listen, there’s not really much we can do or say because there’s a bit of a process going on, but I do believe – well, hopefully – we get cleared soon.
What is that process you’re referring to?
There’s a process that you have to deal with VADA [the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association]; you have to deal with UKAD [UK Anti-Doping], and the promoters and everyone that’s involved. It’s a process that everyone has to follow in order to get cleared.
How do you intend on explaining your testing positive?
Listen, I think the team – we’re doing everything we can to get it solved. There’s a process to follow, and once that is completed, everything will come out, you know?
Does that mean, when you reflect, that you can see a way that it could’ve happened accidentally?
Yeah, you start questioning everything. You start questioning “Why did I have that cup of tea?”. Or “Why did I do this?” Or “Why did I do that?” There’s a lot of things you think about. I’ve never failed a drugs test before, so it was a surprise and shock.
Are you aware of what the potential consequences are, if you’re found guilty?
Not quite. I think there’s a ban. The team are taking care of it at the moment. I’m in Australia at the moment; I came to support Jai Opetaia [in victory over Huseyin Cinkara] and the other fighters on the undercard; Teremoana [Teremoana]. I’m just living my life as normal; this blessed lifestyle. I have to travel around with my family. Hopefully my team will get it sorted very soon.
How confident are you that you’ll fight again?
Very confident. I’m very confident I will fight again.
Given that you maintain your innocence, how frustrating does this feel at a time when so many believe that the sport is being undermined by the widespread use of PEDs?
I think the whole process is frustrating, but what can you do? You’ve just got to accept it and follow what we can in order to get it cleared.
Have you ever taken recreational drugs?
In the past I’ve enjoyed myself. I wouldn’t say “recreational drugs”, but I went out and had a few beers and that. That’s the old me, when I was young fighter. Now, after every fight, all I do is go home to the wife and kids. My life is on track. I’m focused on living the best that I can live and doing the best that I can do.
For the record, are you guilty?
No, not at all. If I was guilty I would say I’d made a mistake. But I’m not.
Then, how difficult has this been for you, emotionally?
You know, when I got told, I was shocked. But emotionally, I know I did nothing wrong. My wife said as long as I’ve got the right people around me, and I did nothing wrong, so what’s there to worry about?
All I can say is I had a great camp. All the other drugs tests came back negative. I had my wife and kids there, and I had the opportunity to fight Usyk, because he still wanted the fight. It just doesn’t make any sense.
It makes it hurtful but what can you do, mate? [I just] think about what’s next.
When are you likely to learn more about what’s next?
Very soon, you know. There’s the process. It’s a bit of a process. It’s getting the team to get it sorted, and once it’s all cleared I’m ready to come back again.
How did you feel when Fabio Wardley was elevated to WBO heavyweight champion?
I’m happy for him. I actually gave him a text and said congratulations. I think his story is an amazing story. He’s a champion. He’s achieved what he set out to achieve in boxing.
You openly doubted, pre-fight, whether Oleksandr Usyk would fight the winner…
I think Usyk had his own plans and was probably looking forward to having a fight with myself but in boxing things happen and, you know, things don’t really go the way you think they might go. With Usyk, I’m not really sure what he has in mind. I think from what I saw online he’s looking at fighting [Deontay] Wilder.
How do you reflect on your former opponent Anthony Joshua agreeing to fight Jake Paul?
Jake Paul’s done a lot in his career and is also bringing a lot of eyes to the sport of boxing. I guess he’s serious about what he wants to achieve in boxing, as he’s locked in a fight with Joshua. I mean, it’s massive step up. For boxing people, you would think Joshua would just bluff it out, but he truly thinks he has a chance against Joshua. So, I think a lot of fans – a lot of supporters – are interested to see how it goes.
