Anthony Joshua took the opportunity to send a message to Jarrell Miller’s mother when their fight collapsed in 2019.
The division’s unified king at the time was due to defend his three belts against the hometown challenger at Madison Square Garden in New York on 1st June, but ultimately ended up facing Andy Ruiz instead as Miller failed three drugs tests.
Miller tested positive for GW1516, HGH and EPO in an unprecedented hat-trick of failed VADA tests, the likes of which boxing had never seen before.
As a result, he was removed from the bout and replaced by Ruiz.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel explaining the situation, AJ began: “I didn’t wanna talk too much on the situation with Jarrell Miller because it’s not in my character to knock a man when he’s down.
“However there was a lot of things he said previously, in the press conferences and the build-up, so I wanted to crack him in his jaw.
“The lesson to learn in this situation is karma works in various ways and what goes around will come back around.
“I feel like he has taken fate and his own blessings out of his own hands”.
Joshua and Miller clashed at their initial press conference as the American shoved the Brit in their face-off.
They then engaged in a heated war of words in which ‘Big Baby’ insulted Joshua’s mother, causing the champion to bite back by branding himself ‘the landlord’ and insisting he was paying Miller’s mother’s rent.
AJ even blew a kiss to Miller’s mother, who was in attendance at the presser.
As the fight never happened, the challenger missed out on a staggering payday – but Joshua reassured Miller’s mother he would be happy to take care of her.
AJ continued: “Good luck to the kid Jarrell Miller whatever he does with his life. As I said, I’m not gonna knock him when he’s down.
“But he doesn’t even deserve to be in the ring with me or any other heavyweight right now.
“June 1, MSG, still going ahead. The landlord will still come and collect his rent.
“And by the way, to Miller’s mum, ‘I still love you and if there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know’”.
