After testing positive for a banned substance, the New York Athletic Commission has decided to not to license Jarrell Miller for a June 1st foght against Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“The New York State Athletic Commission has denied Jarrell Miller’s professional boxing license application for a violation relating to the use of a prohibited substance. We have no further comment at this time,” the commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I am on the search for a new opponent,” Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn said. “Literally anyone can get it. There are some names that would appeal to our partners — DAZN, Sky Sports and Madison Square Garden — more than others and it’s our job to get the ones that appeal most. I’ve spoken to 16 heavyweights in the last 24 hours, 10 of which are not suitable.”
“I want to thank all of my supporters who have stood by me since day one and especially during this extremely difficult time,” Miller said. “I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing license has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision. I have NEVER knowingly taken any banned substance and when I found out the news (Tuesday) night I was totally shocked. My team and I stand for integrity, decency & honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have!”
“This was a voluntarily test that I was very happy to do and these results came just one week after another voluntarily test that I had taken which was completely clean,” he said. “I refuse to just lie down and let my dream be taken away from me when I know in my heart that I’ve done nothing wrong. 15 years of hard work. I’m WARRIOR. I don’t need a banned substance.
“Remember don’t believe everything you hear and see. The facts will prevail and I shall be vindicated. I don’t have anything to hide and the truth will make itself known.”
“I spoke to Luis Ortiz’s manager and he felt it was too short notice for the fight,” Hearn said. “Whether that changes in the next couple of days, that’s possible. There is still time. We will take anyone from the top 15.”
Hearn listed a few others that would be acceptable: Michael Hunter, a former U.S. Olympian who Hearn recently signed; Oscar Rivas, who knocked out Bryant Jennings in January; New York-based Polish contender Adam Kownacki; secondary titlist Manuel Charr; and Kubrat Pulev, one of Joshua’s mandatory challengers.
“Whoever wants it can get it,” Hearn said. “The show goes on. We have over 10,000 Brits flying out. We need to put on a good main event and that’s what AJ is training for. This is the Anthony Joshua show, not the Jarrell Miller show.”