Jarrell Miller won’t be fighting in Nevada for a while.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to extend the heavyweight contender’s temporary suspension indefinitely for allegedly failing a drug test before a scheduled fight in July, BoxingScene.com reported.
Miller was scheduled to face Jerry Forrest on July 9 in the bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, his first fight since a previous PED-related hiatus from boxing. However, he reportedly tested positive for GW1516. The substance, also known as cardarine and endurobol, enhances aerobic power and endurance.
Miller insisted shortly after news broke of his positive test that he has never “willingly” taken a performance-enhancing drug.
GW1516 was one of three substances allegedly found in Miller’s system before his scheduled fight with Anthony Joshua last year in New York. He was replaced by Andy Ruiz Jr. as the opponent for Joshua, who was knocked out.
Miller was not yet licensed to fight in New York at the time he failed the test. Thus, New York officials didn’t have the power to suspend him. Miller had submitted all required paperwork Nevada authorities, which allowed them to take action against him.
They immediately issued a temporary suspension. On Wednesday, they extended it at their monthly commission meeting.
The 32-year-old from Brooklyn presumably would have to reapply for a license at some point if he hopes to fight in Nevada again. It’s not clear when he would be eligible to do so. Some have called for a lifetime ban.
Bob Bennett, the executive director of the NSAC, didn’t immediately return a phone call from Boxing Junkie.
Miller was fortunate to receive a second chance when he signed with Top Rank, which provided a nice platform on which to make his return. The July 9 card – with Carlos Takam replacing Miller – was televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
A few days after the card, Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, said, “Jarrell Miller will never fight on a Top Rank card.”
Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) also tested positive for a banned substance when he was a kickboxer in 2014.
The 31-year-old from Brooklyn hasn’t fought since November 2018, when he stopped Bogdan Dinu.
