Former world heavyweight title contender and drug-cheat Jarrell Miller has admitted that Tyson Fury "kicked his a**" in sparring.
The once highly regarded heavyweight was the original opponent for Anthony Joshua's American debut in July 2019. But after testing positive for a number of banned substances, he was forced out of the bout, making way for Any Ruiz Jr's historic win over the Brit at Madison Square Garden.
And Miller has now joined up with current world heavyweight champion Fury for his upcoming bout with Dillian Whyte. The American has joined as a sparring opponent after his main partner Jared Anderson was injured six weeks out from the event, where he was expected to feature on the undercard.
The American has wasted no time getting into it with Fury, admitting in an Instagram video after a workout “I got my ass kicked just a little bit today," before clarifying that "It's alright though - I’ve been off for a little while. Big Baby’s back!”
Miller's failed drug test against Joshua cost him the chance to compete in a major event, and salt was rubbed in his wounds when the late-notice replacement Ruiz shocked the world to become unified heavyweight champion. The New York native's fortunes didn't get much better either, as his planned comeback against Jerry Forrest was pulled due to another failed test.
Ahead of the Joshua fight, Miller tested positive for human growth hormone, EPO and GW501516. For the Forest bout, he again tested positive for GW501516. He also previously tested positive for methylhexaneamine ahead of a kick-boxing fight in 2014 and served a suspension for that infraction as well.
It remains to be seen if Miller will look to return to professional boxing when his suspension in the state of Nevada is up later this year. He was signed to Top Rank Boxing before the suspension, and must have a solid relationship with the promotion if they are allowing him to spar with one of their biggest stars in Fury.
What do you make of Tyson Fury sparring with Jarrell Miller? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Fury has also been sparring Martin Bakole ahead of his Wembley showdown with Whyte next month, and has former world champion Joseph Parker in camp with him. However, he has indicated that he and Parker do not spar and have said that they will pursue separate heavyweight belts as they both look for world titles in future.
However, Parker may not have to avoid his pal, as Fury has insisted that he will retire following his massive bout with Whyte on April 23. He told BT Sport: "I’ve got stuff I want to do, a lot of opportunities that don’t involve me getting brain damage. I’ve got six kids and a wife. When is enough enough?
"Why do I have to be one of those people who went on too long and got injured? Just had one too many fights and blew it all for what? A few more quid? I want to retire on top, unbeaten heavyweight champion of the world. I want to do a Netflix documentary, a Hollywood movie, and be a good husband, father and son.
"Most of all I just want to be happy, and that’s probably the hardest thing."
