JARRELL MILLER has been “expelled” by the WBC for three years having failed to enrol in their ‘clean boxing programme.’
The American heavyweight was removed from his Las Vegas showdown against Jerry Forrest after incredibly failing a second drug test in just over a year.
Jarrell Miller has been expelled by the WBC for three yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
Miller has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has never taken a steroid for performance enhancement purposes.
‘Big Baby’ Miller was found to have banned substances GW1516, HGH and EPO in his system from tests carried out in 2019 ahead of a fight against Anthony Joshua.
And he was flagged for having GW1516 in his system again ahead of his comeback to the ring later this month.
The 31-year-old told Fight Network: “I have never, ever willingly taken a steroid for performance-enhancement purposes.
“A lot of people don’t understand that GW1516, there’s not much I can really say on the whole matter because – due to legalities that we’re dealing with right now.
“But let’s get one thing straight, this is not a needle in the booty, it’s not a needle in the stomach, this is something that was ingested, we don’t know if it was contaminated, we’re investigating as of right now.
“Me and my team are just working diligently to get the facts one hundred percent straight.”
His reluctance to enrol in the governing body’s drug programme has meant the WBC have no choice but to suspend him from the sport for three years.
President Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “Miller specifically, he was expelled from the WBC, because he failed to enrol in the clean boxing program. Not once, but twice.
“What I can say is that he’s been out of the WBC picture for three years, because we did not consider him to be eligible for rankings, because he did not enrol in the clean boxing program.
He was expelled from the WBC, because he failed to enrol in the clean boxing program. Not once, but twice.
Mauricio Sulaiman
“When he was first ranked. We sent them the documents. He had three months to fill three pieces of paper, and he failed to do so.
“Then somehow they claimed they didn’t have the papers, so we rang him again and sent them the paper, and he didn’t submit twice, so he has been expelled from the WBC for three years.”
Miller, who has a 24-fight undefeated career, appears to have lost his battle to salvage his reputation in boxing.
But he further pleaded his innocence by insisting it makes no sense for him to take the substance knowingly.
He added: “Why the hell would you think, I would go back and do something repeatedly, knowingly, coming back in my return fight, with the finical setbacks and the hardship I’m dealing with in my life.
“I want the general public to think about that, when the facts and everything come out, the right way, we’ll deal with it.”
The heavyweight claimed that the product was consumed before his comeback fight had even been announced, adding: “It was before the fight was even being scheduled. This is not a steroid.
“If I know that it was a substance that was damaging I would not of taking it.
“I’ve spent thousands of dollars on my own products that I have taken either sponsorships or products around my house, out of my own pocket, to spend to get tested to make sure were clean products.
Jarrell Miller’s reputation in the sport has been tarnishedCredit: AP:Associated Press
“I’m prepared to accept my suspension and I’m willing to do my monthly testing duration for my suspension, but to be banned for life, no, you’re out of your mind, because I did my due diligence.
“I have NEVER EVER willing taken a steroid for performance enhancing purposes, no.
“Did I take something for healing properties, for an injury, yes I have, before a fight to win a fight, no I have not done that.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
