Jarrell Miller has officially withdrawn from his contest with fellow heavyweight contender Fabio Wardley on June 7, citing a shoulder injury. BoxingScene has learned that Justis Huni, Filip Hrgovic and Michael Hunter are in the running to replace him – with Huni leading the way.

The bout was to be for the WBA’s vacant interim heavyweight title at Ipswich Town Football Club’s Portman Road Stadium in England. Queensberry Promotions are keen to ensure Wardley, a devout Ipswich fan and the WBA’s number-one heavyweight contender, still fights at the outdoor venue against a ranked opponent. 

News of Miller’s withdrawal was first reported on Tuesday by NoSmokeBoxing but on Wednesday a source close to negotiations told BoxingScene: “We were told three days ago that he’d suffered a minor injury to his shoulder and he was taking a break from sparring but that was it. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’d pulled out without telling everyone though.” The news came that event organizers feared was coming a few hours later.

Getting an opponent for Wardley has long proved difficult. Before Miller came failed negotiations with WBA “regular” titlist Kubrat Pulev. The sanctioning body then approved Queensberry’s request to reintroduce their interim strap and award it to the winner of Wardley-Miller, moving Miller six places up their rankings in the process.

Australia’s Huni, unranked by the WBA because he holds the WBO “global” title, is thought to be the frontrunner. Should he relinquish that title then he could claim a ranking with the WBA and be eligible to fight for the interim title.

Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic, ranked seventh by the WBA, is fresh off a gruelling victory over Joe Joyce in April and this opportunity might have come too soon.

Michael Hunter, rated second by the WBA, had been in talks to challenge Pulev.

Miller was forced out of a shot at Anthony Joshua in June 2019 when he failed two drugs tests. He would fail another while plotting his return the following year. He has not fought since being held to a draw by Andy Ruiz in August 2024.