Joseph Parker 'relieved' after drugs ban was lifted and could target winner of Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch
Joseph Parker denied taking any banned substances after returning traces of cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency test on day of defeat by Fabio Wardley in October; The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed the suspension has been lifted; Parker is set to fight again this year
Thursday 6 August 2026 09:05, UK
Joseph Parker is 'relieved' after a ban was lifted for a failed drug test and he will return to the ring this year, says manager David Higgins.
The New Zealander returned traces of cocaine in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency test on the day of his defeat by Fabio Wardley in October, but Parker denied taking any banned substances and the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed the suspension has been lifted.
Parker's manager Higgins is planning the next career move for the former WBO world heavyweight champion, who could fight twice before the end of 2026.
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"A combination of relieved, excited, and energised," said Higgins when asked about Parker's current mindset.
"Joseph is champing at the bit to get back into the ring. He was up early to go for a run this morning.
"He feels like he is at the peak of his powers and they say a heavyweight only reaches his prime in his thirties. Joseph is only 34 and if you look at the names on his resume, you could call him a veteran but he's still relatively young.
"Joseph has said to me that he would love to fight this year," Higgins added. "It could be a tune-up, then a big fight at the end of the year or it could be a big fight at the end of the year."
Parker has shared the ring with virtually every top heavyweight of his era, including Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Andy Ruiz Jr, Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte, Fabio Wardley, Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang.
That 11th-round stoppage loss inflicted by Wardley stopped Parker's charge towards another world title, but Higgins is 'supremely confident' that the Kiwi can become champion again.
"Joseph is confident. He's done it before; he knows what to do. He's going to have another run at the title and is excited to do so.
"He's a free agent so right now we're looking at all offers. We'll look at anything that makes sense. We'll look at its merit on a risk-and-return basis.
"I'm supremely confident that he can become a world champion again. If you look at history, I think even Lennox Lewis copped a couple of losses and then in his 30s it all came together and he was unbeatable.
"We're not quitters and Joseph is looking forward to this final two or three run in his career."
Parker's old WBO belt lies in the hands of Daniel Dubois, who will defend it against Wardley in a rematch later this year.
A fight against the Dubois vs Wardley 2 winner is an option that excites Parker, who would also welcome a rematch with Dillian Whyte.
"If you recall, Joseph had a world title fight against Dubois scheduled and then he mysteriously pulled out a few days before the fight [through illness]," said Higgins.
"Bakole got slotted in; Joseph knocked out Bakole. But there is absolutely unfinished business there with both.
"Joseph is not afraid to get in the ring with anyone. He also has unfinished business with Dillian Whyte and we'd love that rematch.
"If the deal is right and the terms are right, he would love to make any of those fights happen."
Watch Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha fight for the IBF world middleweight title in Dublin on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream boxing with no contract.
