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Boxing

18th Apr 2019

Eddie Hearn talks potential opponents for Anthony Joshua following Miller’s failed test

Jack O'Toole

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said that Anthony Joshua will fight ‘absolutely anyone’ after Jarrell Miller tested positive for a metabolic modulator also known as cardarine and endurobol.

The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) found an “adverse finding” in Miller’s testing with the Brooklyn native subsequently denied a boxing license by the New York State Athletic Commission following his positive test.

Miller was preparing to fight unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on June 1 at Madison Square Garden in New York but that fight could now jeoporady with Hearn now looking at potential opponents for a new fight in Manhattan.

“As you can imagine we had a whole load of calls,” Hearn told IFL TV.

“There’s been a lot of credible guys and people see a massive opportunity and so they should. It’s not like we’re two weeks away, we’re just under seven weeks. If you’re a heavyweight you’ve got enough time to prep and try and win a world heavyweight title.”

Hearn said that it is too early to publicly mention potential opponents for Joshua but added that he would love a fight with Cuban heavyweight Luis Ortiz, however, he also noted that his team felt like the 40-year-old would not be ready by June 1.

WBA (Regular) heavyweight champion Manuel Charr was also mentioned as a potential opponent with Hearn noting that he was one of about eight fighters that were registering as legitimate contenders to earn a shot at Joshua.

Miller responded to the news on his Instagram and insists he never knowingly took any banned substances.

“I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing licence has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision,” he wrote on Instagram.

“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 & honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have!”