Joseph Parker Free from Doping Suspension, Ready to Return to the World Champion Title Hunt

JAKARTA - New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker can finally return to the ring after the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) lifted the temporary suspension that had frozen his career.

Parker was previously found positive for cocaine in an anti-doping test following a KO defeat in the 11th round against Fabio Wardley in October last year.

The test results came from an examination conducted by the Voluntary Antidoping Association (VADA).

The findings led UKAD to impose a provisional suspension while conducting further investigations. Since the beginning of the process, Parker has continued to deny wrongdoing and believes he will be free of a long-term ban.

The belief is now proven to be true. In an official statement, Parker confirmed that his suspension had been lifted and he could return to the ring.

"I'm happy to confirm that my temporary suspension has been lifted and I'll be back in the ring soon," Parker said in a statement quoted by a number of media, quoted from TalkSport.

The lifting of the suspension automatically makes Parker's career able to run again. The 34-year-old boxer has been out of action for almost eight months, but still maintains his physical condition by undergoing regular training.

During the vacuum period, Parker even became part of Tyson Fury's training team when the former heavyweight world champion faced Mariusz Wach at the Max Muay Thai Stadium, Pattaya, Thailand, in late July 2026.

Not long ago, Parker also uploaded a message on social media containing an invitation to potential opponents to fight in New Zealand in the near future, including a sudden notification.

"I was advised not to say much more for now until all the details of this process are really resolved," he said.

After being free from suspension, Parker's focus is to return to the heavyweight world title race.

Parker actually dominated and was on the winning track when he met Fabio Wardley. However, the boxer from Ipswich, England, was able to turn things around and stop Parker in the 11th round.

The defeat saw Parker lose the WBO interim title he had held in his last few fights.

The situation became even bitter after Wardley was then promoted to full world champion after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the WBO belt.

In the near future, Parker is expected to undergo several warm-up matches to return to his fighting rhythm before returning to hunt for the title fight.

Currently, Parker is still ranked sixth by the WBO and has the opportunity to return to the world title fight, including paving the way for a duel against defending champion Daniel Dubois as the belts of the heavyweight division begin to break up.