Sport

Hearn claims Joshua’s opponent Miller has failed second doping test

Promoter set to announce new opponent for New York fight next week

Jarrell Miller has said he has never knowingly taken any banned substance. Photograph: John Walton/PA Wire

Fri Apr 19 2019 - 19:35

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Jarrell Miller has failed a second doping test and as such a new opponent for Anthony Joshua will be announced next week.

Miller said on Thursday he had “never knowingly taken any banned substance” and intended to appeal against the decision to revoke his licence following an adverse doping test.

Miller and Joshua were set to meet in New York on June 1st as the main event on a card that will also feature Katie Taylor taking on Belgium's Delfine Persoon for the undisputed world lightweight title. And Hearn says he has now learned of a second alleged doping violation by Miller, meaning that fight is now dead in the water.

“We have now received news from Vada [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association] that Jarrell Miller has now failed a second separate test for a further substance. AJ’s June 1 opponent will be announced next week – if you don’t think you can beat him clean then delete my number!” he wrote on Twitter.

READ MORE

Vada has been contacted for a response to Hearn’s claim.

Speaking on Thursday, Miller said: “I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing licence has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision.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 last night I was totally shocked.

“My team and I stand for integrity, decency and honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have!”

LATEST STORIES