'Relieved, excited and energised!' - Parker eyes titles after ban

The ex-WBO heavyweight champion returned an adverse VADA test this past October, the same day he lost to Fabio Wardley.

Parker denied any usage over the findings - traces of cocaine - and the British Boxing Board of Control have now lifted their ban.

It means the star hopes to secure two bouts before the end of the year, with manager David Higgins already mapping a route.

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"[He is] a combination of relieved, excited and energised," he told Sky Sports News. "Joseph is champing at the bit to get back.

"He feels like he is at the peak of his powers. They say a heavyweight only reaches his prime in his thirties. Joseph is only 34.

"You could call him a veteran, but he's still relatively young. Joseph has said to me that he would love to fight this year.

"It could be a tune-up, then a big fight at the end of the year or it could be a big fight at the end of the year. Joseph is confident."

Higgins confirmed Parker intends to launch another title run, having lost the WBO interim strap when he was stopped by Wardley.

"He's a free agent so we're looking at all offers," he added on the New Zealander's plans. "We'll look at anything that makes sense.

"We'll look at its merit on a risk-and-return basis. I'm supremely confident that he can become a world champion again. We're not quitters."

Parker returns with big guns in sights

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

News that Joe Parker is back in the heavyweight mix adds a further wrinkle to what is shaping up to be a fascinating few months now.

This time last year, the Kiwi boxer was odds-on to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for his undisputed crown, only to come wildly unstuck.

The star's opportunity to face the Ukrainian will have been and gone now, but with a litany of other champions in the mix, he has his pick.

Parker's reputation, as a former title holder himself, means there will be no shortage of interest in securing his services for a major bout.

But as his team suggest, they will need to be selective in their assignments if they wish to bid for the summit of the division once again.

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