New Joshua Opponent Announced Next Week

With Jarrell Miller out for their June 1st showdown at Madison Square Garden, Anthony Joshua’s promoter promises a new opponent for his fighter’s New York debut early next week.

Miller was found this week to have tested positive for a banned substance on a WADA test from March 20th, which would lead to the New York State Athletic Commission denying Miller of a license on Wednesday to fight on June 1st.

The Brooklyn born boxer and his team have pushed forward with a B-sample test, but Hearn and Joshua will not push pause on Joshua’s next fight.

“Obviously it’s a fight in America, so from our point of view, we would like an American challenger really,” Hearn told Sky Sports News. “I don’t think it will be Dillian Whyte… You go through the list: Luis Ortiz; Adam Kownacki; Michael Hunter; Manuel Charr; Agit Kabayel, the European champion who beat Derek Chisora.

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“We’re going through that and we’re going to be working hard in the next couple of days. There will be an announcement from us in the early part of next week, locking in Anthony Joshua’s next opponent.”

The first name mentioned, Luis Ortiz, could be considered the best short-notice choice, but Hearn thinks the hard-hitting southpaw won’t take the fight..

“Luis Ortiz was one of the first people that I spoke to actually, his manager, a guy called Jay Jimenez, who we’ve worked with before,” Hearn explained.

“He told me it was too short notice. I disagreed with him, but they are going to be speaking to their fighter. I think the Luis Ortiz fight is a great fight, he has been promised the Deontay Wilder fight as well, by his team, which is a bit worrying for us to hear that news.

“I’m not sure if Ortiz is going to be the guy. Like I said, everyone has been calling.”

Initial Report: Sky Sports