Joseph Parker claims nutritionist’s cocaine use was to blame for failed drugs test days before Fabio Wardley fight

JOSEPH PARKER has claimed his nutritionist’s cocaine use was to blame for a failed drugs test days before fighting Fabio Wardley. The former WBO heavyweight world champion was beaten in round 11 by Brit Wardley in October 25, 2025. Joseph Parker claimed his nutritionist’s cocaine use was to blame for a failed drugs test days Credit: Getty Wardley beat Parker in October 2025 Credit: Getty But as first revealed by SunSport in November, Parker tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, in a sample taken on October 26. The 34-year-old protested his innocence and asked UK Anti-Doping for time to gather evidence that the adverse test was a result of contamination. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Following a period of silence, UKAD have confirmed Parker has served a backdated three-month ban. UKAD said that Parker’s nutritionist had stated he was “a regular user of cocaine.” A statement read: “Mr Parker provided UKAD with evidence claiming that the AAF (Adverse Analytical Finding) was the result of his exposure to cocaine used by the nutritionist he had employed in preparation for the bout on 25 October 2025. “The nutritionist stated that he was a regular user of cocaine and had used cocaine daily in the week leading up to the bout.” Parker has worked with the nutritionist since 2023 but denied knowingly taking any illegal or banned substances. An independent expert determined that Parker’s ingestion of cocaine would have taken place “out of competition” – UKAD said. Most read in Sport The Home of Boxing in 2026 There's a massive year of boxing ahead! It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring. The Gypsy King has beaten Mariusz Wach in his second fight of the year to set up a huge fight with Anthony Joshua And AJ did the same, knocking out Kristian Prenga in the second round of a thrilling encounter – the Brit was knocked down twice in the opening round. Now fans are looking forward to Moses Itauma’s return for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August. Here’s all the big fights coming up… August Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN September Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue. UKAD said they were satisfied that it would have been “in a context unrelated to sport performance.” The doping regulators lifted Parker’s provisional ban and offered a three-month suspension. They considered that to have been served between November 2025 and February 2026 – when Parker was out of the ring amid the scandal. Parker accepted the ban in July and has since stated he is free to fight again. He said: “I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon. “I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters.” Comment now