Jarrell Miller vs Anthony Joshua fight in jeopardy
An “adverse reaction” to a recent VADA test sample has put Jarrell Miller (23-0-1) vs Anthony Joshua (22-0) in serious doubt.
The news was broken by ESPN’s Dan Rafael on April 16, who reported that Miller had tested positive for GW1516, a banned substance listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s site as a metabolic modulator and is commonly used for weight loss and boosting stamina.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, issued a statement via Twitter: “We have been informed by VADA that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20th, 2019. We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1st at MSG.”
That statement was followed by one from Salita Promotions, the co-promoter of Miller: “We are in the process of obtaining further information about VADA’s finding and will have more to say soon on this developing situation. In the meantime Jarrell continues to train for his June 1 fight against Anthony Joshua.”
David Coldwell reacted to the news: "He has to be kicked into touch without a doubt. His best chance is to outlast AJ, he gets done for an endurance booster. No meat bollox for this one but sure they’ve got someone checking to see if it’s in Twinkie’s."
The New Yorker has repeatedly accused Joshua for using performance enhancing drugs to add the muscle to his sculptured figure.
The 30-year-old from Brooklyn has never previously failed a drug test in boxing, but as a kick boxer, he tested positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamineafter his 2014 decision loss to Mirko Cro Cop, which gave him nine-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission, plus a $2,500 fine.
Miller could lose a career-high $4.875 million pay day with AJ, plus pay-per-view proceeds and a further two fights on DAZN worth a combined $3 million if the failed tests are upheld.
Joshua, 29, swapped Wembley Stadium for the Garden after promoter Hearn failed to secure an opponent, so is set to make his United States debut after nearly six years as a professional to build a fanbase stateside.