Jarrell Miller had a golden ticket in the heavyweight division back in 2019, but his dreams of a world title shot crumbled as he failed drug tests not once, not twice, but thrice.
All of the tension and hype pointed towards a great event for Joshua’s coming out part in the States. News of Miller’s performance enhancing drug use, however, left the British champion scrambling for an opponent last minute. Andy Ruiz Jr was chosen, and went onto shock the world in one of the great heavyweight upsets.
Despite the opportunity lost, Miller has remained on the fringes of the sport as he served a ban from the WBA. He was due to return to the ring in an attempt to salvage his career in July of 2020, however the Brooklyn-based heavyweight again failed a pre-fight test. He denied ‘willingly’ taking a banned substance. Now, with a provisional license granted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, he has his eye on Joshua once more.
Speaking to the BOXR podcast, Miller bizarrely claimed that he should be credited with Joshua’s recent losses, despite only facing off in a press conference and nowhere near a ring.
He confirmed ‘AJ’ is the one opponent he’ll always want regardless of the circumstances.
“AJ. Belt, no belt, I’m still gonna punch that scallywag, crumpets and tea … Ever since I punked his ass in New York, he’s never been the same. That boy lost all his marbles. Andy [Ruiz] smoked him, [Oleksandr] Usyk smoked him twice. I tell people this – media can be your worst enemy or your best friend. Media was both [for Joshua]. They made him be something he wasn’t. He’s not a killer. He’s not an animal. He’s not a savage. I know killers and savages in the ring – he’s not one of them. I always knew that.”
“I knew when he is in front of a super tough talent, he’s gonna crack. And he did, and Usyk just ran from him and beat him up.”
Whilst ‘AJ’ is currently in the market for an opponent, it’s highly unlikely that the offer of a fight will end up anywhere near Miller’s door. The former champion will undoubtedly have scores to settle with his would-be opponent, but given the hassle of last time, as well as comments from promoter Eddie Hearn that he wouldn’t work with Miller again, it looks unlikely.