Anthony Joshua’s fight with Jarrell Miller officially off after American is denied a licence after failed drugs test
AJ can begin looking for a new opponent on June 1 having been due to take on 'Big Baby' at Madison Square Garden
ANTHONY JOSHUA’s fight with Jarrell Miller is officially off after the American was denied a license to fight.
AJ can begin the search for a new opponent for his June 1 fight scheduled to be at Madison Square Garden.
The New York State Athletic Commission refused the Brooklyner a licence to challenge for Joshua’s WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
Miller is awaiting the results of his ‘B’ sample and could still reapply for his license.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn had previously stated a shortlist of opponents to potentially replace Miller had begun, though they were waiting for a conclusive result on the test.
That wait has been cut with the news Miller will not be granted the right to box in New York – as Hearn claimed moving from Madison Square Garden was simply not an option.
Joshua’s fight date was initially set for April 13 at Wembley, however, after failing to reach an agreement with Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte – Team AJ looked Stateside.
Despite being a fourth option, Miller drummed up interest in the pay-per-view bout by managing to drag Watford’s unified champ into a trash-talking battle.
One of Miller’s memorable press-conference jibes to AJ was accusing the 2012 Olympic gold medallist of doping after joining the pro ranks.
Now that accusation has fallen flat on the face of “Big Baby” who now sees a reported £4million career high pay-day down the drain.
For Joshua this is not unfamiliar territory – in October 2017 he saw an IBF mandatory defence switch from Kubrat Pulev to Carlos Takam on two weeks notice.
Joshua ended the fight in 10 rounds but his usual dominance was not present, having dealt with a complete change of style.
The biggest problem AJ faces now is a southpaw, such as Cuban Luis Ortiz, who coincidentally offers the best alternative for a big fight opponent.
Closely followed by Brit Dillian Whyte, who Joshua beat in seven rounds in December 2015, but as the pair could not agree the first time around quickly coming to terms may prove impossible.
Other names such as American Michael Hunter, Pulev, Adam Kownacki and WBA ‘Regular’ champion Manuel Charr also sit on the list of Hearn’s emergency understudy’s.