Has Parker hinted at return to ring after being cleared to fight?
Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker has been dropping hints that he could be preparing to make his return to the ring this weekend, and today announced he had been cleared to fight again.
Parker failed a voluntary fight-day anti-doping test from UK Anti-Doping following his 11th-round stoppage defeat to British heavyweight Fabio Wardley last November, after trace elements of cocaine were detected in his system.
He has maintained his innocence throughout the process, stating he did not take a prohibited or performance-enhancing substance, and in a statement released on Wednesday, Parker confirmed his “provisional suspension is lifted” and that he’ll be “back in the ring soon”.
Despite being suspended, Parker has been keeping fit and in the past week dropped hints that a comeback was imminent.
Last month he posted a video of him training, with the caption “Loading………"
Then earlier this week, Parker posted asking if there were heavyweight fighters around the world if they were “reedy and available to fly down to New Zealand and fight this Saturday, August 8″.
The following day, he posted again, thanking people for getting in touch and saying that an opponent had been found.
Another page, Paffen Sport also shared a post saying “the Joseph Parker return” with an hourglass emoji.
While no details were given about who the fight was against, it is a little coincidental with the timing of everything.
The fight card on August 8 sees David Nyika squaring off in an IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator bout with Kiwi-Aussie Floyd Masson at Eventfinda Stadium.
The event is co-promoted by Duco Events and Parker’s Parker Promotions and supported by Auckland Council’s events arm.
There are two scheduled heavyweight fights on the card, with Hemi Ahio facing Kiki Toa Leutele and Alex Leapai Junior squaring up to Arsene Fosso.
Former Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei is also fighting former All Blacks centre Rene Ranger in a heavyweight bout, while Parker’s brother John Parker is also fighting on the card.
Details of the reason for the lifting of Parker’s suspension have not been made public yet, while UK Anti-Doping has yet to comment.
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