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Boxing

19th Apr 2019

Anthony Joshua’s June 1 opponent to be announced next week, Eddie Hearn confirms

Wayne Farry

Eddie Hearn confirmed the news on Friday

Anthony Joshua’s opponent for his June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden will be confirmed next week, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

The confirmation from Hearn comes after the news broke on Friday that Joshua’s opponent for the summer fight, American Jarrell Miller, had failed a second drugs test.

Earlier this week, VADA confirmed that Miller, known as “Big Baby”, had tested positive for the banned substance GW1516 after giving a urine sample to VADA on March 20.

In a tweet sent on Friday, Hearn said: “We have now received news from VADA that Jarrell Miller has now failed a second separate test for a further substance. AJ’s June 1 opponent will be announced next week – if you don’t think you can beat him clean then delete my number!”

Prior to the disclosure of his failed tests, Miller had spent a large portion of his pre-fight press tour suggesting that Joshua – who holds the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles – was himself guilty of doping.

After his failed test, the New York State Athletic Commission denied Miller’s application for a fight licence, meaning that Joshua and Hearn are now left looking for a replacement opponent.