By: Hans Themistode
Jarrell Miller’s comeback fight against Jerry Forrest on July 9th, has been canceled due to Miller’s positive test result for performance enhancing drugs as first reported by Mike Coppinger of the Athletic.
A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed with BoxingInsider.com that Miller’s test results were in fact positive but with less than two weeks remaining until the card takes place, Miller’s opponent in Jerry Forrest could remain on the card. A possible name that could replace Miller is long time contender Carlos Takam, but nothing has been finalized.
This now becomes the second straight fight for Miller in the span of 13 months that has fallen through due to failed drug testing.
In April of 2019, Miller failed multiple tests for EPO as well as GW1516, during the lead up for his heavyweight showdown against Anthony Joshua. Miller was subsequently removed from the card and replaced with Andy Ruiz Jr., who would go on to upset Joshua on June 1st, in Madison Square Garden in New York City, but would ultimately lose their rematch six months later in Saudi Arabia.
Miller admitted to his mistakes and vowed to become a better man during a self recorded video in 2019.
“I messed up, I messed up, I made a bad call,” Miller said. “A lot of ways to handle situations and I handled it wrongly and I’m paying the price for it. I missed out on a big opportunity. I hurt my family, my friends, my team and my supporters. But I’m going to own up to it and come back better. I’m humbled by the experience. I don’t want to make a bad name for myself. It’s time to do right.”
The repercussions for Miller’s failed tests came in the form of a six month suspension from the WBA. His punishment was fulfilled on September 22nd, 2019.
The heavyweight contender was last seen inside of the ring in November of 2018, against Bogdan Dinu. Miller needed just four rounds on the night to get rid of his man. That win however, could be the lasting image of Miller inside of the ring for quite some time as promoter Bob Arum later confirmed to Ryan O’Hara of The Ring, that Miller’s license has been immediately suspended until further notice.