Boxing news: Anthony Joshua SHAMES WBA for handling of drug cheat Jarrell Miller
ANTHONY JOSHUA believes drug cheats will not be taken seriously by the authorities in boxing until somebody loses their life in the ring.
AJ has sent a clear message to those at the top after it was revealed Jarrell Miller has been handed just a six-month ban by the WBA following his drugs shame.
Big Baby was due to challenge Joshua for his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden on June 1 before testing positive for three banned substances which include human growth hormone.
Now the Watford-born star has made his feelings known to boxing’s governing bodies, suggesting they need to take the problem more seriously.
“We heard the WBA gave him six months,” said Joshua speaking at his Sheffield training camp. “I would have given him something different.
“These are top guys. How are they getting to the top, that’s what you question. I find it f*****g hard. Imagine me with a needle in my a**s - I’d be flying!
“It’s hard and it’s out of control. But it’s not taken so seriously by those in charge. Like racism in football. That’s happening, but not taken so seriously.
“Maybe it will take something serious to happen, maybe like a death.”
Miller’s ban will not even prohibit him from boxing, it will just disqualify him from the WBA rankings until September.
Anthony Joshua has called for punishments to be consistent so that potential dopers know exactly what they are getting themselves into.
Tyson Fury who has since made his return to the sport meaning his past is forgotten about.
“Tyson Fury’s had his issues,” he added. “He’s fighting again and it’s forgotten about.
“They should know if this is what they’ve been taking, this is what they’ll get. It’s like a menu.
“Rather than it being the WBA sitting down and saying ‘what shall we give him? Three, six or nine months?
“Miller was on the proper stuff - human growth hormone, EPO. He should be looked at as a serious case.
“It would be better to know if whatever he’s on, that’s a lifetime ban. So before it even gets announced, you know he’s f****d, it’s a big mistake.
“Now, the next person who uses human growth hormone thinks it’s only a six-month ban.
“I haven’t fought in nine months. I could have taken human growth hormone after fighting Povetkin, got caught, taken six months out and still fought in June.”
Joshua will now face Andy Ruiz Jr, who has signed a contract to stand in for Miller at short notice.