18 Jul 2017

Parker missed drug test because of holiday

3:56 pm on 18 July 2017

New Zealand heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker missed a World Boxing Council imposed drug test because of a holiday.

Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Parker was listed as one of five fighters to miss a test this year as part of the WBC's Clean Boxing Program administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

Parker's promoter, Duco Events, confirmed the WBO world heavyweight champion missed the test after his win over Romanian Razvan Cojanu in May because of an extended holiday.

"Joseph extended his holiday following the Cojanu bout on May 6 and didn't update the Vada system of his change of plans.

"A couple of weeks ago drug testers went to his residence in Las Vegas and he had said he was going to be in camp there but he had changed his plans and was in Samoa at the time.

"There is no hiding it's an oversight."

If any athlete misses two or more tests during their period of registration, Vada will remove the athlete from the programme as per its policy.

Parker is currently training in Las Vegas for his September bout against UK heavyweight Hughie Fury.

-RNZ