The WBA has handed a six-month suspension to Jarrell Miller for failing multiple drug tests in recent weeks.
According to ESPN, the unbeaten contender won't be be able to be a part of the governing body's rankings until September 19, making him ineligible to challenge for any WBA title during that time. In addition to that, Miller will also have to register with VADA at his own expense and undergo random testing. Should Miller wish to return to the WBA rankings after his suspension is up, he will have to submit those test results.
Now the suspension from the WBA does not mean that he will not be able to fight until mid-September. Miller would likely have been suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission, but his license expired and the commission can't punish someone who is licensed, according to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Miller, tested positive for the banned substances GW1516, HGH and EPO, would still have to apply for a license, but will likely stay idle and wait until after September 19 to apply for a license.
Miller was supposed to face Anthony Joshua for the unified WBA "Super," WBO and IBF heavyweight titles on June 1 at Madison Square Garden. The title bout, which also would have been Joshua's first pro bout in the United States, was going to headline the card that was going to be streamed on DAZN.
With Miller being out as Joshua's opponent, Hearn is looking for an opponent for Joshua to face in early June. As of this writing, former title challenger Andy Ruiz Jr. could be the next man up after it was reported that he agreed to terms to face Joshua for the unified heavyweight titles.
