Parker was named as one of five boxers who missed a WBC Clean Boxing Program test under VADA rules in the first half of 2017, although his team have stated it was simply a mistake on the New Zealander’s part.
“Joseph extended his holiday following the Cojanu bout on May 6 and didn’t update the VADA system of his change of plans,” a Duco spokesperson told stuff.co.nz.
“A couple of weeks ago drug testers went to his residence in Las Vegas (Parker’s training base) 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.”
They added: “A missed test doesn’t mean you’ve been doping, it just means you’ve been careless.
“In this case it’s just that Joseph didn’t update the VADA system and he was on holiday at the time. There is no hiding the fact he missed a drug test and he has to take it on the chin.
“Joseph is back in camp in Vegas for the next eight weeks and VADA can stop by at any time of the day or night if they want to see him.”
The 25 year-old is back in training for his September 23 mandatory title defence against Hughie Fury and will be hoping this controversy blows over pretty quickly.
A fight with Tony Bellew or Dillian Whyte, followed by a blockbuster with Anthony Joshua have been lined up for late 2017 and the first half of 2018, meaning Parker can ill-afford any sort of incident that may derail his current plans.
