By Keith Idec

Anthony Joshua says he would’ve fought Jarrell Miller even after Miller failed multiple tests for performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York State Athletic Commission refused to license Miller for his ill-fated fight against Joshua because he tested positive three times for PEDs. California’s Andy Ruiz (32-1, 21 KOs) eventually replaced Miller as Joshua’s opponent for that June 1 fight at Madison Square Garden in New York (DAZN).

Had the NSAC permitted Miller to remain in their fight, Joshua told IFL TV that he would’ve had “no issue” facing Miller anyway.

“I would’ve fought Miller on PEDs,” Joshua said during an interview posted Monday night.

Why?

“Because it’s a fight at the end of the day,” Joshua explained. “It is what it is. I don’t think he can beat me.”

The 6-feet-6, 245-pound Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) concedes that the Miller match wouldn’t have been easy, in part due to the 6-feet-4, 315-pound Miller’s size. The British superstar also is certain he would’ve beaten the verbose Brooklyn native.

“What Miller chooses to do or the governing body chooses has nothing to do with me,” Joshua said. “As long as I can crack on and do my job, I don’t think he can beat me on PEDs anyway. It would’ve been a good fight. It would’ve been a tough fight. Yeah, because when I was sparring, I had some physical, big guys weighing about 300 pounds. They’re good on the inside, heavy, you can’t move them, stuff like that.”

Joshua was disappointed once Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) failed repeated tests administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association. After all the trash Miller talked, Joshua was anxious to shut him up in the ring.

“I was looking forward to punishing him,” Joshua said, before noting that he wouldn’t be against rescheduling a fight with Miller at some point. “But look, it if was a fight that was to go ahead, I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to fight anyone. Do you know what I mean? So yeah, why not? Be optimistic about the situation.”

The WBA has banned Miller from its rankings for six months. He has not been suspended by the NYSAC because he hadn’t been licensed when he failed three tests for Endurobol, EPO and HGH.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.