Jarrell Miller says he has “never knowingly taken any banned substance” and intends to appeal against the decision to revoke his licence following an adverse doping test.
Miller, who was due to fight British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in his native New York on June 1, produced an adverse result for a metabolic modulator in testing carried out on March 20 by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).
He retains the right to request another sample be tested and to reapply for a licence, and has now stated his intention to “vigorously appeal” against the decision.
“I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing licence has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I have NEVER knowingly taken any banned substance and when I found out the news last night I was totally shocked.
“My team and I stand for integrity, decency and honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have!”
Joshua’s camp are still working towards a fight at Madison Square Garden on June 1.
We have been informed by VADA that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20th, 2019. We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1st at MSG. — Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) April 17, 2019
Miller continued: “This was a voluntary test that I was very happy to do and these results came just one week after another voluntary 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.
“Fifteen years of hard work. I’m a WARRIOR .. I don’t need a banned substance.
“Remember, don’t believe everything you hear and see. The facts will prevail and I shall be vindicated. I don’t have anything to hide and the truth will make itself known.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that a new opponent for the Briton’s IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight title defence would be announced early next week.
“Everybody’s on the hustle now to try and get a shot at Anthony Joshua so we’ve got to make sure we get the right guy,” Hearn told Sky Sports News.
“This is predominantly the Anthony Joshua show but we still need that dance partner, that credible guy, that great fight that can light up that arena on June 1.
“And it’s a massive night for Anthony, it’s his American debut, it’s Madison Square Garden, it’s a night that will be remembered for a long time in his career so it’s important that we find the right guy.
“Going through everything today, tomorrow, and over the weekend, we have some meetings, a lot of people flying in as well, and early next week there will be an announcement for a new opponent, subject to Jarrell Miller’s B sample being tested as well.
“But history will tell us that it’s unusual to see a change in that sample.”
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