Ukad: Nutritionist caused cocaine traces in Joseph Parker’s post-fight tests

Joseph Parker has been cleared to return to boxing after UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) concluded that traces of cocaine found in tests on the day he lost to Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena on 25 October 2025 were caused by a nutritionist he employed, the agency said.

Parker, 34, was tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) on 25 October 2025 and defeated by Wardley at the O2 on the same day, and he also recorded a failed Ukad test in the early hours of 26 October 2025. On 6 March 2026 Mr Parker provided Ukad with evidence claiming the adverse analytical finding resulted from his exposure to cocaine used by the nutritionist he had employed in preparation for the bout on 25 October 2025, Ukad said.

Ukad published a statement quoting the nutritionist: "The nutritionist stated that he was a regular user of cocaine and had used cocaine daily in the week leading up to the bout." The agency said Parker had gathered sufficient evidence to support his claim that the adverse test arose from that exposure.

In June Ukad determined Parker's cocaine ingestion had occurred out of competition and therefore was "in a context unrelated to sport performance", a finding that led to the lifting of his previous provisional suspension. Parker served a three-month suspension and is now free to fight again, Ukad added.

Parker has repeatedly denied knowingly taking any banned substances, and he confirmed the suspension lift on social media on Wednesday, posting: "I'm pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I'll be back in the ring soon."

He followed that with a second social media line: "I've been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters."

Parker's professional record stands at 36 wins and four defeats, including 24 stoppage victories, and he was WBO heavyweight champion from 2016 to 2018 before losing the title to Anthony Joshua in Cardiff.

With his provisional suspension lifted, Parker has said he will return to the ring soon, a step he announced publicly while further details are finalised.