Eddie Hearn open to Dillian Whyte or Luis Ortiz potentially replacing Jarrell Miller, after American fails drug test
American Big Baby failed a voluntary drug test which could leave Team AJ looking for a replacement for June 1 at Madison Square Garden
EDDIE HEARN is open to Luis Ortiz or Dillian Whyte potentially replacing Jarrell Miller to fight Anthony Joshua.
It was revealed Miller, 30, failed a doping test for banned “muscle growth” substance GW1516, citing three sources with knowledge of the results.
“Big Baby” is pencilled in to challenge for Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO world titles at New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 1 - though these plans could now be scrapped following the failed test.
The two most commendable replacements would now be southpaw Ortiz, a former opponent of WBC champ Deontay Wilder, or Brit Whyte.
Promoter Hearn told he is open to these options and shot down Manuel Charr’s claim that he was “in negotiations” to replace Miller.
Hearn said: “Love (Ortiz) fight, that is an ideal scenario - that is a big fight, I know his team.
“My feeling from them was, he won’t be ready. I disagree with them.
“The argument is that’s a better fight or a tougher fight than Jarrell Miller, some might say.
“I saw Manuel Charr say we’re in negotiations, we’re not. He sent me a text saying ‘I will accept the fight’.
“He’s WBA ‘Regular’ champion he’s on a list of eight, who I would say are at least I’d say registering in the mind, to at least look at or consider.
“If Dillian Whyte wants to fight Josh in June, bit weird being in MSG - 100 per cent.
“But he ain’t going to be ready for June 1, if he is and there’s a serious conversation, we’ll talk on that.
“But he’s training for July, so again no problem with it.”
The failed test comes after Miller himself accused unified world champion AJ of doping after he came out of the London 2012 Olympics.
For Joshua, though, he was not surprised nor bothered about the news and will now accept all comers, according to Matchroom Boxing chief Hearn.
Hearn said: “I just said ‘mate, I’ve got some terrible news’ - he said, ‘What?’
“I said Miller’s failed a drug test, he said: ‘You’re joking,’ I said no, f***ing can’t believe it.
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“He [Joshua] didn’t even sound that surprised to be honest with you - he said: ‘Okay, well who’s next?’
“I said, who do you want, he went: ‘absolutely anyone, no problem - anyone.’
“I text him this morning saying ‘Stay focussed’ and he’s like I’ve just done six miles on the road don’t worry about me.”