Anthony Joshua’s US debut is in serious doubt after his opponent Jarrell Miller tested positive for a banned substance. The heavyweight bout is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1, with Katie Taylor taking on Delfine Persoon on the undercard. ESPN's Dan Rafael said Miller "tested positive for the banned substance GW1516 " and the test was " a random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association-conducted urine test Miller submitted to on March 20."
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said: " we have been informed by VADA that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20. We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1 at MSG. "
It appears that Joshua will still headline the bill on the first weekend in June and it's not the first time he has had a change of opponent. Carlos Takam was a late replacement for the injured Kubrat Pulev in October 2017. It's also not the first time that Miller has failed a drug test. The American was hit with a nine month ban when he tested positive during his kickboxing career.
Miller's co-promoter, Dmitry Salita, told ESPN that they were investigating the incident: " we are in the process of obtaining further information about VADA's finding and will have more to say soon on this developing situation. In the meantime Jarrell continues to train for his June 1 fight against Anthony Joshua."
