Miller has history of failing drugs tests and bragged of doping expertise as he made baseless claims about Joshua

TWENTY long minutes we sat and listened to Jarrell Miller label Anthony Joshua a doping cheat but now HIS skullduggery appears to have killed the June 1 fight.

When the 22st American visited London at the end of February, he was given the chance to retract his claims that British hero AJ had used testosterone and therapeutic use exemptions to bulk up for his professional career.

Miller spoke with total conviction when he explained how the 29-year-old unified heavyweight champ had unnaturally gained around 20lbs - but now HE is the man on trial.

Miller’s team and Joshua’a promoter Eddie Hearn have confirmed that a voluntary urine test taken on March 20th has come back with a red flag and the fight is in jeopardy.

Hearn insists Josh remains training and focussed on making his long-awaited American debut at Madison Square Garden but it seems unlikely Miller, 30, will be in the opposite corner.

The freakishly athletic former kickboxer had banned substance GW1516 in his hulking system and that is a drug that boosts aerobic power and endurance, making giant Miller a perfect user.

BANNED IN 2014

Miller cannot blame ignorance. When making baseless claims against Joshua he repeatedly stated his insider knowledge of steroids, supplements and bodybuilding was second to none.

And he has form after landing a ban while a martial artist in the kickboxing promotion GLORY in 2014.

Back then he tested positive for methylhexaneamine from a urine sample and was suspended for nine months.

That product is used by athletes as a dietary supplement and is a well-known performance enhancer.

It’s tough to think of a move more stupid than this. Miller was handed a life-changing opportunity, a shot at AJ, because he is a trash-talking Brooklyn local.

Dozens of fighters were ranked higher and more deserving but AJ’s US broadcasters DAZN thought they found the perfect patsy for their star to make his Stateside bow against.

Instead he looks to have blown the event just six weeks out, with fans fuming that they have already shelled out on flights and hotels.

MILLER IN BIG BATTLE

It’s almost impossible to think the event will be cancelled, especially after Josh gave up an April 13 Wembley booking to take this chance, after Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte priced themselves out of a local dance, and a stand-in fighter will most likely be drafted in.

There is always a Plan-B for events like this and the Watford golden boy has handled a similar stumbling block before.

In 2016 Joshua had prepared diligently to face awkward 6ft 4in Kubrat Pulev in Cardiff.

But, just two weeks out from the first bell, the Bulgarian injured his shoulder and bullish 6ft 1in Carlos Takam slipped in to make it a long night before a round-ten stoppage.

Miller will battle to save his spot but, if he is proven to be a repeat offender endangering the lives of clean rivals, he deserves nothing but the boot.

But it will be a painful process after so much work had been done to make this fight.

Miller linked up with a UK management company to boost his profile and expensive and exhausting press briefings took place on both sides of the pond.

DAZN and Sky Sports had invested heavily in the bout but Miller could have blown it all up the wall.

And if the man nicknamed Big Baby loses this once-in-life-time shot he’ll go down as one of the biggest dummies to have laced up the gloves.