Anthony Joshua blasts boxing chiefs after drug cheat Miller is only handed six-month ban

ANTHONY JOSHUA has slammed boxing authorities for not clamping down on drugs cheats after Jarrell Miller was handed a six-month rap.

Britain's world heavyweight champ called for the American, 30, to be banned for life after he tested positive for THREE separate substances (HGH, GH-1516 and EPO).

And fuming Joshua, 29, warns someone could be killed in the ring if authorities do not take a more hardline approach.

HE said: "We heard the WBA gave him six months.

"I haven’t fought in nine. I could have taken human growth hormone after Povetkin, got caught, taken six months out and still fought in June.

"It doesn’t put fear into fighters. So maybe they should start regulating so people know exactly what you get for each substance and know not to take the risk.

"It’s like a menu. Rather than it being us guys sitting down as the WBA and saying ‘what shall we give him? Three, six, nine months? Let’s say six’.

"I don’t know how the decision is made but it would be better to know if whatever he was on, that is a lifetime ban.

"So before it even gets announced, you know he’s f****d, it’s a big mistake. It would put more fear into fighters as well."

In 1995, American boxer Gerald McClellan spent eleven days in a coma and was found to have suffered extensive brain damage after a bout with Nigel Benn.

'WE NEED PROPER TESTING'

And IBF, WBA and WBO king AJ - who insists on his opponents agreeing on to extra-strict testing - is concerned similar injuries, or worse, could be sustained at the hands of a drug cheat.

Asked what it would take for boxing chiefs to take matters more seriously, Joshua added: "I was watching Benn against McClennan the other day. You see him at his house, he can’t hear properly.

"And guys now, they aren’t 6ft 4, 6ft 3, they are super-super heavyweights.

"It will take something serious. I don’t know if that's a death but something serious.

"Imagine I fight him [Ruiz] and it only gets found out after. He might have taken something out of me. That’s why we pay to get proper testing.

"It can be annoying but now it’s happened and paid off."

As well as Miller, heavyweight contenders Luis Ortiz and Alexander Povetkin have also returned after failing drugs tests.

Joshua added: "These are top guys. How are they getting to the top, that’s what you question.

"Imagine me with a needle in my a*** every now and then. I would be flying.

"When you look down the list at everyone who has had it, how have they got to the top? It’s out of control."