Joseph Parker says he will return to ring 'soon' after drugs ban lifted following failed test last October

Joseph Parker has announced he will continue his boxing career "soon" after confirmation his suspension has been lifted following a failed drug test last year.

The heavyweight's routine test given to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency on the day of his defeat by Fabio Wardley last October returned traces of cocaine following the loss by 11th-round stoppage at The O2.

Parker, who denied taking any banned substances, could have faced up to a two-year ban from boxing.

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However, he has now released a statement saying his suspension has been lifted.

General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, Robert Smith declined to comment when contacted by Sky Sports News but confirmed the suspension has been lifted.

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"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," Parker said on Wednesday.

Parker, 34, is a former world champion who lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018, but he went into his fight against Wardley in arguably the best form of his career.

After a punishing loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker won his next six contests prior, picking up statement wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, as well as winning the WBO Interim strap.

He was due to challenge then-IBF belt-holder Daniel Dubois in February, only for Dubois to fall ill just days before the fight was meant to take place.

Parker put his position as the WBO mandatory challenger to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk on the line by taking the fight against Wardley, but it was a gamble that backfired.