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HOLD THE LINE

Anthony Joshua opponent to be announced ‘early next week’ reveals Eddie Hearn after scramble to face British heavyweight after Miller’s positive drug test

Matchroom boss says an opponent will be named in the early part of next week

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has revealed he will have Anthony Joshua's opponent tied down by early next week

ANTHONY JOSHUA is being inundated with offers to fight for his big American debut on June 1, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

The Matchroom boss is still reeling after original opponent Jarrell Miller failed a drugs test and had his licence to fight in New York pulled.

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has revealed he will have Anthony Joshua's opponent tied down by early next week
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Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn has revealed he will have Anthony Joshua's opponent tied down by early next weekCredit: PA:Press Association

But with just six weeks to go, Hearn appeared relaxed when talking about selecting the right opponent for the Madison Square Garden showdown.

And his favoured option appears to be 40-year-old Luis Ortiz.

The Cuban has lost just one of his 32 fights, and that was against WBC king Deontay Wilder.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hearn said: "Luis Ortiz fight a great fight, he has been promised the Deontay wilder fight by his team which is worrying for us.

"Everyone is on the hustle to get a shot at AJ.
"This is predominately the AJ show, but we need the dance partner, that great fight that can light up the arena.
"It is a night that will be remembered for the rest of his career."

We have got the time, it's six weeks this Saturday, they don't have to make weight, otherwise we would be up against it

Promoter Eddie Hearn

Hearn says he expects to make an announcement early next week.

He told Sky Sports News: “There will be an announcement from us in the early part of next week, locking in Anthony Joshua's next opponent.

"Obviously it's a fight in America, so from our point of view, we would like an American challenger really."

The promoter also revealed he had received a voicemail one of the sports legends, but it wouldn't be an offer he would be taking up.
He added: "First phone call I had was voicemail from Don King.
"He has a heavyweight called Trevor Bryan, from US, but it won't be him."
Joshua is headlining his first ever show in the US on June 1, and despite Miller's shock positive drugs sample, he is confident it can still be a blockbuster.
He said: "We have got the time, it's six weeks this Saturday, they don't have to make weight, otherwise we would be up against it.
"There will be an announcement on a new opponent subject to Miller's B sample, but history will tell us that it doesn't usually come back different."
Miller has denied he knowingly took the banned 'muscle growth' substance GW1516.

Miller, who accused Joshua of doping in February, is awaiting the results of his 'B' sample and could still reapply for his licence.

He added: "This was a voluntarily test that I was very happy to do and these results came just one week after another voluntarily test that I had taken which was completely clean.

"I refuse to just lie down and let my dream be taken away from me when I know in my heart that I’ve done nothing wrong."

Jarrell Miller has one last chance of making the June 1 card by providing a positive B sample early next week
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Jarrell Miller has one last chance of making the June 1 card by providing a positive B sample early next weekCredit: PA:Press Association
Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua continues hard sparring 'inspired by Mike Tyson' after Miller fails drug test all-but ending fight hope
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