Joshua New York fight in doubt after drug sample

Anthony Joshua’s world heavyweight title fight with Jarrell Miller is in doubt after the American produced an “adverse finding” in a drug-testing sample.

Both camps confirmed the Voluntary Anti-doping Association (VADA) had informed them that Miller had returned the results from a test on 20 March.

Miller, who is undefeated in each of his 24 professional bouts, was due to take on the Briton at Madison Square Garden for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles on 1 June.

The adverse finding is reported to be for GW1516, a metabolic modulator also known as cardarine and endurobol.

Miller is likely to face a hearing before the New York State Athletic Commission to decide whether he will be allowed to fight in June.

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, tweeted on Tuesday morning that Vadahadinformedhimof its results. Hearn tweeted: “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.”

Hearn could now need to find a replacement fighter for what would be Joshua’s USA debut.

Joshuaretainedhiswba, IBF, WBO and IBO titles when he stopped Alexander Povetkin in September.

Miller’s camp, Salita Promotions, also acknowledged the adverse finding on their Twitter account.

Astatementread:“weare in the process of obtaining further information about VADA’S finding and will have more to say soon on this developing situation.

“In the meantime Jarrell continues to train for his June 1 fight against Anthony Joshua.”

The 30-year-old was kickboxing in 2014 when he tested positive for methylhexaneamine in a urine sample and was suspended for nine months by the California State Athletic Commission.