Heavyweight contender Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller has reportedly failed a drug test ahead of his scheduled anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua, (22-0, 21 KO's) on June 1 at Madison Square Garden. The bout is a defence of Joshua's WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight titles. ESPN's Dan Rafael reported that Miller tested positive for the banned substance GW1516, who added that the test was a random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association-conducted urine test Miller submitted to on March 20. G1516 - also known as Endurobol - is a fat burner and is intended to boost athlete endurance, and prompted an official health warning from World Anti-Doping Agency in 2013, due to it being so powerful.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the report but said his fighter’s “preparation continues” for the big date.
Should the fight be postponed or cancelled, it will not be the first time the heavyweight champion has faced a late disruption to his camp. It is possible that Matchroom Sport - Joshua’s promotional team - will have a replacement lined up. It is reported that Anthony Joshua has already put together a potential replacement list of five names consisting of Luis "King Kong" Ortiz, Kubrat Pulev, Michael Hunter, Manuel Charr, and Adam Kownacki.
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If the test results prove to be accurate, and Miller is removed from the card he will lose the biggest payday of his 10 year professional career. It will be a $4.75 million mistake on his decision making ability. The $4.75 million is just his purse. Miller would also miss out on the percentage of the revenue that Sky Box Office brings in from the UK.
The 30-year-old Miller, with no evidence, accused Joshua of using performance-enhancing drugs earlier this year.
“I study every opponent, said Miller, at a press conference in February. My dad was a bodybuilder growing up; you can see it. I look at someone and I say, he’s on steroids. Anybody who comes out of the amateurs at 220lbs and then is 240lbs in a year, there’s something wrong with that picture."
“There’s no way you’re going to put on 20lbs of muscle within a year without taking some kind of supplement. It’s impossible. I know bodybuilders train all year round, non-stop, and don’t put on that amount of muscle."
“Now, if you look at his stature, while he’s staying at this higher level, his physique has kinda shrunk."
“We’ve both got contracts in place where we’re protected and the proper testing is going to be taking place, but it’s written clear as day.”
Dmitriy Salita, Miller's promoter released a statement:
"We are in the process of obtaining further information about VADA's findings and will have more to say soon on this developing situation. In the meantime, Jarrell continues to train for his June 1 fight Anthony Joshua."
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