DISTRAUGHT Jarrell Miller vowed to clear his name after being denied a boxing license to take on Anthony Joshua following a failed drugs test.
The American was due to face AJ on June 1 before testing positive for banned 'muscle growth' substance GW1516.
Their world-title showdown at New York's Madison Square Garden is all-but cancelled but Miller, 30, said he will appeal the decision having never "knowingly" doped.
In his first statement since failing a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association-conducted test, Miller said: "I want to thank all of my supporters who have stood by me since day one and especially during this extremely difficult time.
"I have not been tuned in to social media and any other media outlets to focus and channel all of my energies into working hard with no distractions.
"I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing license has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision.
"I have NEVER knowingly taken any banned substance and when I found out the news last night I was totally shocked.
PLANS TO APPEAL
"My team and I stand for integrity, decency & honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have!"
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the British world WBA, IBF and WBO champion, 29, will "likely" need a new opponent.
Miller, who accused Joshua of doping in February, is awaiting the results of his 'B' sample and could still reapply for his license.
He added: "This was a voluntarily test that I was very happy to do and these results came just one week after another voluntarily test that I had taken which was completely clean.
"I refuse to just lie down and let my dream be taken away from me when I know in my heart that I’ve done nothing wrong.
"15 years of hard work. I’m WARRIOR .. I don’t need a banned substance.
"Remember don’t believe everything you hear and see. The facts will prevail and I shall be vindicate. I don’t have anything to hide and the truth will make itself known."
Both Dillian Whyte and Manuel Charr have thrown their names into the mix to stand-in for Miller against Joshua.
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I want to thank all of my supporters who have stood by me since day one and especially during this extremely difficult time. I have not been tuned in to social media and any other media outlets to focus and channel all of my energies into working hard with no distractions. I am absolutely devastated upon hearing the news my boxing license has been revoked in NY State and I will be vigorously appealing this decision. I have NEVER knowingly taken any banned substance and when I found out the news last night I was totally shocked. My team and I stand for integrity, decency & honesty and together we will stand to fight this with everything we have! This was a voluntarily test that I was very happy to do and these results came just one week after another voluntarily test that I had taken which was completely clean. I refuse to just lie down and let my dream be taken away from me when I know in my heart that I’ve done nothing wrong. 15 years of hard work. I’m WARRIOR .. I don’t need a banned substance. Remember don’t believe everything you hear and see. The facts will prevail and I shall be vindicate. I don’t have anything to hide and the truth will make itself known.
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