The former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker said on Wednesday tnat he had been cleared to fight again after failing a dope test last October. The 34-year-old New Zealander, who held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018, had denied taking a prohibited substance but risked a two-year ban.
Parker failed the voluntary test on the day he fought and lost against Britain’s Fabio Wardley. Reports at the time indicated that he had tested positive for traces of cocaine.
“I’m pleased to confirm my provisional suspension is lifted and I’ll be back in the ring soon,” Parker said in a statement. “I’ve been advised to say no more for now while details are finalised. Thank you to all my supporters.“
Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, confirmed the suspension had been lifted but gave no details.
Raven Chapman, meanwhile, has undergone emergency surgery for a bleed on the brain after collapsing following a sparring session in Denmark. The 32-year-old British boxer, who fought for the WBC world featherweight title in 2024, was placed in a medically induced coma after undergoing surgery to stop the bleeding and reduce the swelling.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise money for Chapman, who has been taken off sedatives in the past 24 hours and is awaiting medically supervised repatriation to a UK hospital.
Chapman’s management company, Vote Boxing, said: “On Friday 24 July, Raven unexpectedly collapsed after a sparring session in Denmark. Emergency services were called immediately, and she was airlifted to a local hospital. She was diagnosed with a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema.
“Raven underwent emergency surgery immediately. The procedure successfully stopped the bleeding and helped stabilise the swelling. She was then placed in a medically induced coma.
“Over the past day, she has been taken off the sedatives and is continuing to receive treatment while awaiting medically supervised repatriation to a hospital in the UK, where her rehabilitation is expected to take some time. Her doctors are doing everything they can to support her recovery, and we remain hopeful as she continues to fight through this incredibly difficult time.”
The Norwich-born Chapman has won 10 professional fights with two defeats, one of those being her October 2024 defeat against Skye Nicolson for world honours.
Chapman was previously tied to Queensberry Promotions and its founder, Frank Warren, wrote on X: “Raven is fully in my thoughts this morning, I’m really hoping she can pull through and get home safely. Everyone at Queensberry is behind you Raven, we’re all hoping you can pull through this.”
