Nigerian-born Anthony
Joshua is set to battle American Andy Ruiz Jr as replacement for Jarrell Miller
in New York on 1 June.
According to the BBC, the
29-year-old Joshua, who is currently the unified world heavyweight champion,
was initially billed to face Miller at Madison Square Garden but the American
pugilist was axed from the bout after failing a test for banned substance.
The report revealed that
29-year-old California-born Ruiz, who has previously fought for a world title
is expected to be confirmed as Joshua's opponent for his first fight in US on
Tuesday, April 30.
The June 1 fight is
expected to see Joshua return to action after nine months of inactivity as he
seeks to extend his 22- unbeaten fight record.
However, British
heavyweight Dillian Whyte believes Ruiz represented "a save-the-show
fight", stressing AJ would have no problem beating the American
challenger.
Already, Jarrell Miller has
been handed a six months suspension by the WBA for his failing tests for banned
substance.
The American tested
positive to three banned substances prior to his June 1 bout with Anthony
Joshua.
Miller will be withdrawn
from the WBA's rankings and will also have to register with VADA to undergo
random testing at his own expense.
The boxer's suspension will
end on September 19 and Miller must produce those test results if he intends to
stage a comeback to the WBA rankings.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported
that Anthony Joshua has wished Jarrell Miller "good luck" following
his failed test to banned substance - but added he "doesn't deserve to be
in the ring with me or any other heavyweight right now".
The American was due to
fight Joshua in his first fight in the United States, for the world heavyweight
championship.
But the unbeaten Miller was
denied a licence after an "adverse finding" from a sample taken on 20
March.
Andy Ruiz Jr expected to be announced as Anthony Joshua next opponent today https://t.co/DLMzhaSo7o #JoshuaRuiz pic.twitter.com/hQbXzOiTsA— British Boxing News 🇬🇧 (@britboxing_) 30 April 2019
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