After failing a PED that put a kibosh on his heavyweight world title opportunity against Anthony Joshua on June 1st, undefeated Jarrell Miller failed two more tests that were revealed on Friday, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
The results from a blood sample collected from Miller by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association on March 31 came to light Friday and were positive for human growth hormone (HGH), which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list.
“Salita Promotions and Greg Cohen Promotions are very disappointed in these findings and feel awful fight fans will be deprived of what would have been a great fight,” Dmitriy Salita and Greg Cohen, Miller’s co-promoters, told ESPN in a joint statement following the revelation of the positive test. “It’s a terrible outcome and unfortunate situation for all parties involved.”
“This is your boy ‘Big Baby’ Miller here,” an emotional Miller said. “A lot can be said right now. I gonna get straight to the point. I messed up. I messed up. I made a bad call. A lot of ways to handle a situation, I handled it wrongly and I’m paying the price for it. Missed out on is a big opportunity, and I’m hurtin’ on the inside. My heart is bleeding right now. I hurt my family, my friends, my team, my supporters. But I’m gonna own up to it. I’m gonna deal with it, I’m gonna correct it, and I’m gonna come back better. “I’m humbled by the experience. I understand how to handle certain things. I’m gonna leave it at that. I love you guys and I appreciate you guys out there, and as fighters we go through a lot and I don’t want to make it a bad name for ourselves. It’s time to do right, and get right. So I thank you guys.”
“To be honest I can’t believe it. You always want to give an athlete the benefit of the doubt, but this leaves no doubt,” Joshua promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN. “It worries me that fighters feel the only way they can beat AJ is by taking banned substances. One thing we know is Miller is out. AJ’s new opponent for June 1 will be announced next week. Clean fighters only need apply.”
After the first positive test result, Miller claimed he had not knowingly taken a banned substance.
“I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing license has been [denied] in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision,” Miller wrote on social media earlier this week. “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!”
