Jarrell Miller denied license by NYAC following failed drug test

There is a huge bump in the road regarding Anthony Joshua’s United States boxing debut. Jarrell Miller, the interim WBA-NABA and WBO-NABO Heavyweight Champion, has tested positive for a banned substance ahead of his huge payday bout against Joshua on June 1 inside Madison Square Garden.

Miller’s (23-0-1) tests came back with an extreme amount of GW1516 in his system. The test he was given dates back to March 20 by VADA. The banned substance is known as a metabolic modulator. Someone like Miller who weighs over 300 pounds could use it for fat loss or as an endurance booster. Health risks from the drug can be cancer or severe heart problems.

Eddie Hearn, who represents Matchroom Boxing and Miller, kept it short and sweet. The fight is one that he has been keeping a close eye on ever since talks between Joshua (22-0) and Deontay Wilder went sour.

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.

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) April 17, 2019

Earlier today (April 17 ), the New York Athletic Commission denied Miller a license for the fight, scrapping all plans DAZN and Matchroom had. They must now scramble to find a new main event.

Since the moment the fight was announced, Miller proclaimed that it was Joshua who was a dirty fighter. Now, the role has been reversed, and it has costed Miller everything. He was due to earn up to $4.875 million plus PPV buys from Sky Sports. A potential rematch was also on the line as well as multiple other fights. That is thrown out the window now with this news.

Now there is the question of who Joshua’s opponent will be. Choices range from Adam Kownacki, Kubrat Pulev and Luis Ortiz, among others. With about seven weeks to go, Matchroom and DAZN will have to work overtime in order to get this mess in order.