Parker has not fought since suffering an 11th-round stoppage loss to Fabio Wardley on October 25. After the fight, a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test reportedly detected traces of cocaine, triggering an indefinite suspension while the case is reviewed.
The result shocked many in boxing, particularly as Parker had been enjoying one of the best runs of his career. Before the Wardley defeat, he had recorded victories over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole to re-establish himself as a leading heavyweight contender.
Now, Parker’s manager Spencer Brown says the case is still unresolved but believes there is evidence that should work in his fighter’s favor.
“There is a lot of mitigating circumstances. Joe is 100% not guilty, but there is mitigating circumstances. The people around him at the time. There was contamination. I realize that the sample has come back, but it couldn’t have helped him in any way, shape or form; it could only have hindered him,” said Brown to Playbook Boxing.
“We’re trying to get this out of the way, we’re trying desperately, there are solicitors involved, we need to get him back in the ring in the next two or three months. We need to get this finished. We’re still waiting for the process to go through.
“We put all our evidence through to show there were mitigating circumstances. We have had witness statements, we have done everything, all we are waiting for is a yes, OK when accept it, there’s your ban.”
If the anti-doping authorities determine Parker committed an anti-doping rule violation, he could face a suspension of up to two years, although Brown believes the alleged contamination and other mitigating circumstances should reduce any sanction.
Parker, now 34, was ahead on the scorecards against Wardley before being stopped in the 11th round, a finish that generated debate among fans who felt the referee intervened prematurely.
As things stand, Parker remains in limbo as he awaits a final decision on a case that has put one of the heavyweight division’s most successful recent comeback stories on hold.
