Jarrell Miller has begun his long route back to a world heavyweight title shot.
Having tested positive for banned substances in 2019 and 2020, ‘Big Baby’ officially started his random drug testing programme on Wednesday, submitting his first sample to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) as ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) earlier this month.
Brooklyn’s Miller, who must provide random tests for at least six months, gave his social media followers an inside view of his path back.
“I’m gonna pee in this goddamn cup and keep it moving,” Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) told his Instagram Live channel. “I don’t even know if I wanna box anymore. I might just become a rapper. You know what I mean, I could just play football at this point.
“I’m gonna get a hold of [WBC heavyweight champion] Tyson Fury and I’m gonna smash this fool. You wanna know why? Because boxing needs a Big Boy Baby like me. I’m just giving you facts.
“Just stay tuned in. This is the first drug test, I know I’m gonna pass the damn thing and just keep it moving.”
Before a projected July 9 fight with Jerry Forrest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Miller tested positive for the banned substance GW501516 – just over a year since a failed test flagged up three banned drugs and scuppered a heavyweight title shot at unified champion Anthony Joshua.
Early this month, the NSAC punished Miller with a 24-month suspension for his most recent indiscretion, but completion of VADA testing and substance abuse programmes will see that sentence reduced to 18 months. Miller must pay to complete both programmes. With the sentence backdated, this could see the disgraced New Yorker return to the fray in January 2022.
It’s a long road back but if there’s money involved boxing usually finds a way.