Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has denied taking “any prohibited substance” after testing positive for cocaine.
The 33-year-old New Zealander was tested by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (Vada) on 25 October.
On the same day, he was beaten by Britain’s Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena.
Sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Parker tested positive for the recreational drug, and not performance-enhancing drugs, while his promoted confirmed there had been an “adverse finding” on Friday.
“Before my recent fight, I took a voluntary test and have now been informed that it returned an adverse result,” Parker wrote on his Instagram account.
“This came as a real surprise to me.
“I did not take any prohibited substance, I do not use performance-enhancing drugs and do not support their use.
“I am co-operating fully with the process now under way, and I am confident the investigation will clear my name.”