Anthony Joshua‘s planned world heavyweight title defence against Jarrell Miller has been thrown into doubt after the American allegedly returned a positive drugs test. 

Big Baby’s urine sample from a random Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test is reported to have tested positive for banned substance GW1516. 

Dillian Whyte has thrown his hat into the ring, while promoter Eddie Hearn begins searching for a contingency option for the June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden. 

“We have been informed by Vada that there has been an adverse finding in Jarrell Miller’s sample collected on March 20th, 2019,” said Hearn. 

“We are working with all relevant parties and will update with more details soon. AJ’s preparation continues for June 1st at MSG (Madison Square Garden).”

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1/8 Anthony Joshua defends his world heavyweight titles on June 1

But after Jarrell Miller allegedly failed a drugs test, the champion could be forced to find a new opponent just six weeks out from his date at Madison Square Garden, New York

Action Images via Reuters

2/8 Jarrell Miller

Miller could request a ‘B’ sample, meaning he could yet clear himself of any wrongdoing. Big Baby is continuing to train in the meantime

PA

3/8 Luis Ortiz

The Cuban was involved in a brutal knockout defeat to Dillian Whyte in 2018 but has rebounded with three successive wins and now looks ready for another crack at the gold

Getty Images

4/8 Adam Kownacki

Wildly popular with the Polish community, the 30-year-old is unbeaten and could represent an ideal replacement from the American perspective. An impressive knockout win vs Gerald Washington puts him on the brink of a world title shot

Getty Images

5/8 Manuel Charr

Somehow lingering in the WBA ratings, despite not fighting in 18 months and without an impressive win since being knocked out by long-time cruiserweight Mairis Breidis in 2015, would be a horrendous replacement

AFP/Getty Images

6/8 Michael Hunter

A former cruiserweight campaigner, Hunter has impressively stepped up to heavyweight with four wins, including knockout wins over Martin Bakole and Alexander Ustinov. An American replacement would be preferable, it would seem, with the 30-year-old inside the top 15 with the WBA and IBF

Getty Images

7/8 Kubrat Pulev

No 1 ranked with the IBF, but is now in legal trouble following his win over Bogdan Dinu, where his knockout win last month also saw him receive a cut, which could rule him out of a potential June 1 fight

AFP/Getty Images

8/8 Dillian Whyte

Joshua’s former rival, who he knocked out 2015, but after rebuilding strongly, the Body Snatcher is on the brink of earning a shot at AJ or Deontay Wilder and is willing to step in for the rematch at MSG

Getty Images

1/8 Anthony Joshua defends his world heavyweight titles on June 1

But after Jarrell Miller allegedly failed a drugs test, the champion could be forced to find a new opponent just six weeks out from his date at Madison Square Garden, New York

Action Images via Reuters

2/8 Jarrell Miller

Miller could request a ‘B’ sample, meaning he could yet clear himself of any wrongdoing. Big Baby is continuing to train in the meantime

PA

3/8 Luis Ortiz

The Cuban was involved in a brutal knockout defeat to Dillian Whyte in 2018 but has rebounded with three successive wins and now looks ready for another crack at the gold

Getty Images

4/8 Adam Kownacki

Wildly popular with the Polish community, the 30-year-old is unbeaten and could represent an ideal replacement from the American perspective. An impressive knockout win vs Gerald Washington puts him on the brink of a world title shot

Getty Images

5/8 Manuel Charr

Somehow lingering in the WBA ratings, despite not fighting in 18 months and without an impressive win since being knocked out by long-time cruiserweight Mairis Breidis in 2015, would be a horrendous replacement

AFP/Getty Images

6/8 Michael Hunter

A former cruiserweight campaigner, Hunter has impressively stepped up to heavyweight with four wins, including knockout wins over Martin Bakole and Alexander Ustinov. An American replacement would be preferable, it would seem, with the 30-year-old inside the top 15 with the WBA and IBF

Getty Images

7/8 Kubrat Pulev

No 1 ranked with the IBF, but is now in legal trouble following his win over Bogdan Dinu, where his knockout win last month also saw him receive a cut, which could rule him out of a potential June 1 fight

AFP/Getty Images

8/8 Dillian Whyte

Joshua’s former rival, who he knocked out 2015, but after rebuilding strongly, the Body Snatcher is on the brink of earning a shot at AJ or Deontay Wilder and is willing to step in for the rematch at MSG

Getty Images

Miller was kickboxing in 2014 when he tested positive for methylhexaneamine in a urine sample and was suspended for nine months by the California State Athletic Commission.