Joseph Parker, the former heavyweight boxing champion, announced on Wednesday that he has been cleared to resume fighting after facing a doping issue last October. The 34-year-old New Zealander, who held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, had consistently denied using any banned substances but was facing the possibility of a two-year suspension.
Parker’s doping test, conducted voluntarily, revealed positive traces of cocaine on the same day he lost to British boxer Fabio Wardley. “I am happy to share that my provisional suspension has been lifted, and I look forward to returning to the ring soon,” Parker stated in his announcement. “I have been advised to refrain from further comments until everything is finalized. Thank you to all my supporters for their understanding.”
Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, confirmed the lifting of the suspension but did not provide any additional information.
In a separate incident, Raven Chapman, a 32-year-old British boxer, is recovering from emergency surgery to address a brain bleed that occurred after she collapsed following a sparring session in Denmark. Chapman, who competed for the WBC world featherweight title in 2024, was placed in a medically induced coma after the surgery aimed at halting the bleeding and alleviating swelling.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support Chapman’s medical expenses. In the past 24 hours, she has been taken off sedatives and is now preparing for her medically supervised return to a hospital in the UK.
According to her management team, Vote Boxing, “On Friday, July 24, Raven unexpectedly collapsed after a sparring session in Denmark. Immediate assistance was summoned, and she was airlifted to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a brain hematoma and cerebral edema.”
“She underwent emergency surgery without delay, which successfully managed the bleeding and helped control the swelling. Following the procedure, she was placed in a medically induced coma. Over the last day, she has been weaned off the sedatives and continues to receive treatment while awaiting her transfer back to the UK for rehabilitation, which is expected to take some time. Her medical team is committed to her recovery, and we remain optimistic as she navigates this challenging period.”
Born in Norwich, Chapman has a professional record of 10 wins and 2 losses, with her most recent defeat coming in October 2024 against Skye Nicolson for the world title.
Previously associated with Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren, the founder of the organization, expressed his support on social media, stating, “Raven has been on my mind this morning. I sincerely hope she can overcome this and return home safely. Everyone at Queensberry is rooting for you, Raven; we’re all behind you in this fight.”
