“I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker said to The Post. “I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalized. Thank you to all my supporters.”
The suspension stemmed from a VADA test taken on the day of Parker’s October 25, 2025, bout with Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena. The sample contained benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Under anti-doping rules, cocaine is classified as a recreational substance rather than a performance-enhancing drug.
Parker consistently denied knowingly taking cocaine or any banned substance. He maintained the result came from contamination, submitting evidence and witness statements during the investigation conducted by UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control.
Earlier this year, Parker described the wait for a decision as one of the most difficult periods of his career, stating the situation harmed his reputation despite his belief that he had done nothing wrong. UKAD has yet to publish the full reasoning behind the decision.
The ruling restores one of the division’s leading contenders. Before suffering an 11th-round stoppage loss to Wardley, Parker revived his career with victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole, putting himself back within reach of another world title opportunity. With the suspension lifted, attention now shifts to his next fight.
