Joseph Parker: Ex-champion denies taking ‘any prohibited substance’

Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has denied taking “any prohibited substance” after testing positive for cocaine.

The 33-year-old New Zealander was tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) on October 25.

On the same day, he lost to Englishman Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena.

Sources confirmed to BBC Sport that Parker had tested positive for recreational drugs rather than performance-enhancing drugs, while the promoter confirmed there was an “adverse finding” on Friday.

“I took a voluntary test before my last fight and was notified it returned a negative result,” Parker wrote on Instagram.

“This was a real surprise to me.

“I have not taken any banned substances, I do not use performance enhancing drugs and I do not support their use.

“I am cooperating fully with the ongoing process at this time and am confident that the investigation will clear my name.”