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Anthony Joshua ‘s planned world heavyweight title defence against Jarrell Miller has been thrown into doubt after the American allegedly returned a positive drugs test.
Big Baby’s urine sample from a random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test is reported to have tested positive for banned substance GW1516.
Dillian Whyte has thrown his hat into the ring, while promoter Eddie Hearn begins searching for a contingency option for the June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden.
“We have been informed by Vada that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20th, 2019,” said Hearn.
“We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1st at MSG (Madison Square Garden).”
Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight offShow all 8 1 /8Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Anthony Joshua defends his world heavyweight titles on June 1 But after Jarrell Miller allegedly failed a drugs test, the champion has been forced to find a new opponent just six weeks out from his date at Madison Square Garden, New York
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Jarrell Miller Miller could request a 'B' sample, meaning he could yet clear himself of any wrongdoing. Big Baby is continuing to train in the meantime
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Luis Ortiz The Cuban was involved in a brutal knockout defeat to Dillian Whyte in 2018 but has rebounded with three successive wins and now looks ready for another crack at the gold
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Adam Kownacki Wildly popular with the Polish community, the 30-year-old is unbeaten and could represent an ideal replacement from the American perspective. An impressive knockout win vs Gerald Washington puts him on the brink of a world title shot
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Manuel Charr Somehow lingering in the WBA ratings, despite not fighting in 18 months and without an impressive win since being knocked out by long-time cruiserweight Mairis Breidis in 2015, would be a horrendous replacement
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Michael Hunter A former cruiserweight campaigner, Hunter has impressively stepped up to heavyweight with four wins, including knockout wins over Martin Bakole and Alexander Ustinov. An American replacement would be preferable, it would seem, with the 30-year-old inside the top 15 with the WBA and IBF
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Kubrat Pulev No 1 ranked with the IBF, but is now in legal trouble following his win over Bogdan Dinu, where his knockout win last month also saw him receive a cut, which could rule him out of a potential June 1 fight
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Who could Anthony Joshua fight next with Jarrell Miller fight off Dillian Whyte Joshua's former rival, who he knocked out 2015, but after rebuilding strongly, the Body Snatcher is on the brink of earning a shot at AJ or Deontay Wilder and is willing to step in for the rematch at MSG
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Miller was kickboxing in 2014 when he tested positive for methylhexaneamine in a urine sample and was suspended for nine months by the California State Athletic Commission.
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