A mānuka honey wellness brand says it’s “supporting” Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker after drug allegations, having briefly removed his endorsement from its website earlier today. 

News broke early this morning that the 33-year-old former world champion failed a drugs test on October 25 – the day of his shock loss to Fabio Wardley in London. 

“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time,” promoters Queensberry said in a statement. 

An initial report in UK tabloid the Sun said Parker had tested positive for cocaine, but that is yet to be confirmed. 

The Herald has approached Parker’s long-time promoter David Higgins for comment. 

Manuka Doctor, which sells mānuka honey and skincare products, partnered with Parker to promote the brand. In a statement today, the company said it was “surprised” to hear the news. 

“We will await the outcome of the investigation. Manuka Doctor does not condone the use of prohibited substances in sport.” 

The company removed Parker’s endorsement from its website earlier today, where he previously raved about the brand’s mānuka honey product being his “natural energy hit” to stay sharp in the ring. 

Instead, the page displayed a 404 “page not found” error. 

Promoting a product on the page, Manuka Doctor said: “Joseph knows it – the secret to staying sharp in the ring is natural energy.” 

• Joseph Parker failed drugs test on day of shock heavyweight defeat

In a later statement, Manuka Doctor said the page was paused “for a short time while we checked the breaking news and got a clearer picture”. 

“It is now back up, and we are supporting Joseph while the investigation takes place.” 

In 2021, Parker was named as the sports star police alleged was linked to a major international drug importation and supply conspiracy. 

Parker was never charged with any crime but prosecutors suggested during trial that he played a role in transporting and changing currency. In a sworn affidavit, the Kiwi heavyweight strenuously denied the allegations. The media was not allowed to publish Parker’s name for more than a year after the trial, until his bid for permanent name suppression eventually faltered before the Supreme Court. 

Referee Howard Foster drew the ire of many boxing fans when he prematurely stopped an engrossing war between Parker and Wardley in the 11th round at London’s 02 Arena on October 25. 

Comfortably ahead on the scorecards after largely dominating the middle stages of the absorbing battle, Parker was rocked by Wardley’s right hand and trapped on the ropes when Foster stopped the fight 1m 54s into the penultimate round. 

Parker could have attempted to clinch or possibly take a knee to gain time to recover but without returning fire, Foster determined he had absorbed enough punishment to end the Kiwi’s hopes of finally securing a crack at undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk. 

It was Parker’s fourth career loss and first in three years.