MAKING NOISE
Catching up with outspoken heavyweight contender Miller
Heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller does not shut up. But has he always been so noisy? Does he really believe everything that comes out of his mouth? Chris Walker attempts to find the human being beneath the bluster
MAYBE because they like what he says, or perhaps because they have no choice, people listen when Jarrell Miller opens his mouth. And Miller certainly loves to be heard. Like an intolerable youngster misbehaving to attract attention, the volume emitted by “Big Baby” elicits more coverage than his actual fights. Time will tell whether Miller is indeed a better mouthpiece than fighter but, for now, question marks remain over his standing in the heavyweight division.
Miller, unsurprisingly, is prepared to give Boxing News his verdict immediately.
“I’m in the top two or three with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder,” affirms an authoritative Miller, from his New York City base, one day after Tyson Fury announced his return for December 9. “They say Fury is on the way back, but I don’t see that guy in a ring just yet. When I do then I may have to make some changes, but for now I’m certainly one of the top guys and I won’t be stopping this until I prove that I’m the very best heavyweight out there.”
As always, Miller was in a vocal mood just days before his mammoth tussle with French contender, Johann Duhaupas, at Jarrell’s nearby Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Very much an integral part of the Matchroom US brand which is currently in development, Miller’s brash demeanour has catapulted him into the consciousness of the boxing fraternity via frequent media appearances. Indeed, not content with just one interview, days after this conversation occurred, Miller’s publicist called the BN offices and asked if we’d like another.
So, while undoubtedly keen to stand out from the crowd, it’s his fighting ability, honed on the volatile streets of Brooklyn, which must ultimately shine through. But in this day and age, where self-publicity can provide a hearty legup, one wonders whether the 29-year-old’s relentless public outbursts are a reflection of his true feelings, or a mere sales pitch designed for the sport’s money men.
“It’s all real,” declares a passionate Miller before insisting that his regular tirades are in fact watered down. “If I wanted to say to people and potentials opponents what’s really on my mind then s**t would get serious in a minute, because I’m from a place where people have to watch what they say
to me otherwise they won’t like what comes back. You only have to look at my background in kickboxing to realise that I can fight and that I don’t need my mouth. People like to hear what I’ve got to say and boxing is a sport that gives you so many platforms to get your point across, so if I’m asked a question about something or somebody then I’m going to go all out and give the best damn answer I can possibly provide.”
Before showcasing his repertoire to HBO viewers, Miller’s ascent up the heavyweight rankings was accomplished with minimum fanfare when, while tucked away on small-scale undercards, he ran through a series of tests which enabled him to accrue experience and sharpen his tools.
His background involved modest martial arts success with his only two setbacks as a kickboxer coming on points to the legendary Mirko Cro Cop. That said, Miller was all too aware of the commitment traditional boxing required, and piecing everything together has proven a work in progress, although the finished article, he attests, is not far away.
“The goal was [to be] heavyweight champion of the world,” declares Miller with a rare long pause afterwards. “It’s what I came to boxing for. I was doing okay for myself fighting in K1 and kickboxing, but boxing was always something that stood out for me, and I knew within me that it was going to make up a huge part of my life at some point. Boxing, though, is different. You have to be smart and strategic outside the ring too as planning your moves can lead you somewhere or nowhere. I think I’ve made enough right moves so far.”
Miller went largely unnoticed outside of his New York base, but his profile was raised when he defeated the tried and tested Fred Kassi in three rounds in 2016 on a Shobox broadcast. The following year, Miller’s stock increased further when he bludgeoned former WBC title challenger, Gerald Washington, in eight rounds on the undercard of Adrien Broner-mikey Garcia.
The American closed the year with another stoppage win on Eddie Hearn’s inaugural American show this past November, when he was too strong for European veteran, Mariusz Wach, finishing the job in nine one-sided rounds. The wheels on Miller’s hype train are rolling but there’s still plenty to learn at stations along the way. Miller disagrees.
“Line them up now,” he declares. “Whoever you
IF I WANTED TO SAY WHAT WAS REALLY ON MY MIND, S**T WOULD GET SERIOUS”
choose, I’m going to beat them. I don’t care who it is or where it is. Deontay thinks he’s making a bit of noise in New York now because he been fighting at the Barclays [Center, where Miller stars this weekend]. That p***y needs to remember where he’s at when he comes to Brooklyn because this is my city. One thing I will say about Deontay is that he can punch and his power is real so when he catches you, there’s a good chance that the fight is going to be over. But you seriously can’t look at his style and the way he swings and not feel a world of confidence that you can have success against someone who be fighting like that. Me and Deontay is a fight for America, but I don’t really know where his head is at now so don’t ask me if that fight can be made.”
Miller’s well-documented issues with Wilder go back a number of years, as the Brooklynite has been one of the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist’s fiercest critics. Radio show spats between the pair have threatened to overspill, and TV cameras failed to pick up Miller trying to invade the ring following Wilder’s dramatic win over Luis Ortiz at the beginning of March. Security and members of Wilder’s team did well to halt a marauding Miller on the ring apron, when he was just yards away from the WBC champion, but this brief exchange of profanities is still the closest the pair have been.
“Like I’ve said to other people questioning why I wanted to get in his face, it was nothing,” Miller explains. “He’s said a whole lot of stuff about me in the past when he didn’t need to and I’ve said some real stuff back too.
“I was trying to back up what I had been saying, but Deontay didn’t want to know. Getting in that ring and saying all the stuff I’ve been saying about him to his face is nothing for someone like me, and that’s all I was trying to do. All I want now is the chance to prove that I can be a world champion, and that means I have to fight guys like Deontay and ‘AJ’. I’ve been telling the both of them for the best part of two years that I’m ready, but where they be at?”
While his desire to challenge one of the beltholders is clear, it’s the unification showdown between Wilder and Joshua that is currently one of the sport’s loudest talking points. The verbal jousting that currently exists between the teams has prompted a host of social media politics, but not the fight the division needs. Should the stalemate continue, Miller, already a fixture in Hearn’s stateside promotions, is ready to step in and challenge Joshua instead.
“I have no deal with Eddie Hearn, but I’m grateful for the shots he’s giving me at the moment, and I’m hoping that he’s going to give me the opportunity to take care of his main man,” states Miller regarding Joshua. “A lot of people are under the impression that I’m an Eddie Hearn guy but it’s all about Big Baby Promotions and I owe a lot to Dimitri Salita too. Myself and Salita are the ones making the decisions, but I’m grateful to Eddie for giving me the chance to shine on HBO in my home city, and as long as he gives me the chance to beat his boy [Joshua] up then me and Eddie will always get along just fine.”
I HAVE BEEN TELLING WILDER AND JOSHUA FOR TWO YEARS THAT I’M READY, BUT WHERE THEY BE AT?”