ANTHONY JOSHUA, the unified WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion, could well need a new opponent for his June 1 title defence at Madison Square Garden. He was due to fight Jarrell Miller but Miller has been revealed to have had an adverse finding in a drug test.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said, “We have been informed by VADA [the drug testing agency they use] that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20, 2019. We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1 at MSG.”
Miller had failed a drug test during his past kickboxing career and spent the press tour accusing Joshua of drug use. With unintended irony Miller is the one who has had an adverse finding during their anti-doping measures.
The June 1 bout is a significant moment for Joshua as he intends it to be his first fight in America and first fight at Madison Square Garden. It remains to be seen whether Miller’s team will be able to contest the result and be involved in the fight.
With Miller likely ruled out. Joshua will need to find an alternative opponent. Dillian Whyte is a big name rival but it’s highly unlikely he would step in at short notice. Luis Ortiz would make for an intriguing opponent but offers a completely different style to Miller. Michael Hunter, a small American heavyweight who’s been getting good results, has already offered his services. There are though few heavyweights at a level which would make them appealing challengers for a major fight with Joshua.
