Tag Archives: jarrell miller
Jarrell Miller: “Banned For Life? No, You’re Out of Your Mind.”
By: Hans Themistode
When the news broke of heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller and his failed drug test, a collective “not again” echoed through the minds of boxing fans. Just one year prior, the Brooklyn native was busted for performance enhancing drugs which led to the cancelation of his showdown against unified champion Anthony Joshua. Along with that aforementioned cancelation came a six month suspension handed down by the WBA.
Yet, as of September 22nd, 2019, Miller completed his time on the shelf and was set to continue his career on July 9th. Set to face Miller on the night was Jerry Forrest, or at least, that was the original idea. But with Miller popping once again for banned substances, he has been removed from the card and his boxing license has been subsequently suspended.
Promoter Bob Arum, was “extremely disappointed” when the news broke. But no matter how upset Arum or the fans of Miller are, it pales in comparison to how the Brooklyn born native is feeling at the moment.
“Nobody can be more outraged than me,” said Miller during an interview with Jeremy C. Herriges on Fight Network. “I’m the one who’s lost millions of dollars, I’m the one who has their career on the line. So no one is going to be more outraged than me.”
The boxing public was incredulous to the recent news of Jarrell Miller and his positive drug test. But apparently, so was he. Following his most recent suspension, Miller vowed to be more diligent in what he ingests going forward and promised to own up to his mistakes.
But according to Miller, he had done just that. He left no stone unturned in his second chance in the sport of boxing.
“We were super diligent,” said Miller. “The thing is there is information that will come out eventually. If I knew that this was a substance that was going to be damaging I wouldn’t have taken it.”
The questions surrounding Miller and his claim of innocence have come from everywhere. But while there is still plenty left for him to answer, he first wants to ask the public a question of his own.
“I know it sounds crazy but why in the hell do you think I would go back and do something repeatedly, knowingly in my return fight? Especially with the financial setbacks and hardships that I have dealt with in my life. I want the public to think about that.”
While Miller reiterates that the public should sit back and wait before castigating him, most inside of boxing circles have already made up their minds.
“Ban him for 2-3 years,” said former two division world champion and current ESPN commentator Andre Ward. “If he has any other positive tests or infractions, ban him for life.”
“This is the third state that he has tested positive in,” said ESPN analysts Mark Kriegel. “New York, Nevada and California. I spoke to a prominent athletic commissioner who said if Nevada doesn’t move to ban him permanently, then he will with the association of boxing commissions.”
At the age of 31, a truncated career is something that could very well be on the table for Miller. He isn’t oblivious to it. In fact, since the news of his positive tests has surfaced, it’s dawned on him that he could be headed down that road.
With that being said, the heavyweight contender believes there is no way in hell he should receive the death penalty.
“Yes, it’s definitely crossed my mind. But I should absolutely not be banned. I’m prepared to accept my suspension and I’m willing to do my monthly testing during my suspension. But to be banned for life? No you’re out of your mind.”
The current investigation surrounding Miller doesn’t allow room for him to answer questions as freely as he wants. Regardless of his restrictions though, Miller wants to make one thing clear to everyone.
“I have never, ever willingly taken a steroid for performance enhancing purposes,” explained Miller. “Did I take something for healing properties and injuries? Yes I have. But to win a fight? No, I have never done that.”
More Headlines
Jarrell Miller Fails Another Drug Test; Removed From July 9th Card
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.
More Headlines
Jarrell Miller vs Jerry Forrest Set For July 9th
By: Hans Themistode
Move over Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua. Here comes Jarrel Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs).
The Brooklyn born Heavyweight will bring his 6 ft 4, 300 plus pound frame back into the mix as he makes his return on July 9th. The last time Miller was seen inside of a boxing ring, he was dismantling Bogdan Dinu in November of 2018.
Welcoming Miller back to the Heavyweight mix is fringe contender Jerry Forrest.
Miller gained a reputation for himself over the past few years. He talks a lot of trash outside of the ring, but he backs up every single one of his words inside of it. His hard work and skills on the microphone landed him the biggest fight of his career. A showdown with unified Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
But just as quickly as that contest fell into his lap, it was taken from him even quicker.
With just a few months left before his first crack at a world title, Miller was busted for using multiple banned substances. The amount of PEDs in Miller’s system seemingly would have made him unstoppable on the night, but he claims that he has since been clean.
Whether he is clean or not though, Forrest could give a damn. He’s picked up high profile losses to Heavyweight contenders such as Gerald Washington, Michael Hunter and Jermaine Franklin. But he isn’t ready to allow a fourth to come up on his watch.
“I’m super pumped, truly,” said Forrest, who lives in Virginia. “I’m going to box his shoes off. Look, I want it all. I work hard, I do it the right way, I’m a man. Even (if Miller was to use banned supplements) I’ll still beat the heck out of him. He want to be the villain. Just know truth wins.I’m the one that’s going to shake up the world. Just wait, it’s going to be Ali, then me.”
The argument can easily be made that no one loves the spotlight and attention more than Miller. With COVID-19 forcing most fans of the sport to sit on the couch and watch endless hours of television, Miller will be the only show in town come July 9th.
The Miller comeback train is currently racing down the tracks and the next stop will be Jerry Forrest avenue. But for those who believe that Forrest will be nothing more than a quick night at the office, clearly haven’t spoken with his promoter Lou Di Bella.
“Jerry Forrest isn’t showing up as a victim or an opponent,” said promoter Lou Di Della. “He was robbed on ShoBox when he fought the highly-touted Jermaine Franklin. Everyone who watched that fight knows Jerry won. He will prove on July 9 that he’s a heavyweight contender. Jerry is a skilled boxer.”
