Frank Warren believes the scramble is on for Anthony Joshua to find a ‘viable’ opponent to replace Jarrell Miller. Joshua and his team were informed by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association of an ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test taken from Miller in late March. It has been reported Miller tested positive for banned substance GW1516, also known as Cardarine, which is used to increase power and endurance. Joshua’s American debut is now in serious doubt, but Warren expects the three-belt world champion to push ahead with his fight date at Madison Square Garden.
The good thing is, if you could say anything good about this situation, this hasn’t happened the week before. He’s got time to prepare for a change of styles. ‘It’s the worse thing that can happen before a fight, but it is about timing. It’s a result it’s happened six weeks before the fight. ‘The only thing worse would be if it happened the week before, then you’re really struggling.
The good thing about heavyweights is they don’t have to cut weight. They’re going to have to come up with a replacement who is viable.’ Eddie Hearn has already drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements, including former world title challenger Luis Ortiz and 19-0 Polish fighter Adam Kownacki. Miller will have his B sample tested before the New York Athletic Commission decides his fighting future, but if that sample returns another positive reading then the American will be facing a one-year ban.
Warren thinks the timing of Miller’s positive test is a blessing for Joshua’s promoter Hearn, but worries if a suitable opponent can be found in time for 1 June.
It’s a real scramble to find somebody who is going to be a good replacement. Miller was a New York based fighter and you have to think about how that will be affected,’ Warren said. ‘Who are they going to draft in at short notice that will be suitable? Dillian Whyte?
Who are they going to find for him to fight in New York? It’s a mess.’ During an explosive press tour, Miller levelled accusations of doping at Joshua, but the 30-year-old himself has a chequered history. Miller served a nine-month suspension while fighting for kickboxing promotion GLORY after testing positive for performance enhancing drug methylhexaneamine. ‘Jarrell Miller has a track record and if he’s tested positive, then there’s only thing they can do and that’s ban him,’ Warren said.
How many of these heavyweights have to be found guilty of doing drugs before something is done? There’s only one way to stop it. ‘Not these six-month bull**** bans, but proper bans. You want to kill it? It’s easy. Make an example of someone. ‘All these kids who are following these fighters and coming through into boxing, it compromises them because it makes it seem like it’s the norm to cheat.
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