Jarrell Miller Stills Wants To Box Anthony Joshua
Jarrell Miller is still targeting a fight with Anthony Joshua.
The heavyweight was on course to box Joshua in 2019 at Madison Square Garden. The build up was controversial as the duo were involved in a heated clash, as Miller pushed AJ. However, the fight was called off after Miller tested positive. Andy Ruiz Jr. took Miller’s place, causing an upset by stopping Joshua on his American debut. The defeat meant Ruiz became the Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World. While Joshua did win the rematch, Ruiz secured massive paydays, something which Miller missed out on. However, he is hoping to get that fight later down the line.
Miller Reacts
“It’s definitely something that’s motivating me every day. He looked good against Francis Ngannou but he don’t look good against too many boxers lately. When you’ve got a…. [scary fighter] that’s mean and hungry and wants to come forward it’s a different story,” Miller said
Miller is currently not in the best form. He lost to Daniel Dubois last year, getting stopped on ‘The Day of Reckoning’ card. The fight was seen as a major chance for Miller to build up his name on the biggest stage. However, the boxer came into the ring over 300 pounds and slowed down heavily before getting stopped. He now faces Joshua’s former opponent, Ruiz, on August 3.
The fight takes place on the Israil Madrimov vs. Terence Crawford card. Ruiz has not boxed since beating Luis Ortiz in 2022. The boxer had been linked with a fight against Deontay Wilder for what would have been a WBC Interim Heavyweight Title clash. However, terms could not be agreed upon. Wilder’s team offered a 70-30 split, while Ruiz’s camp wanted 50-50. The title eliminator was then scrapped while Ruiz had surgery on a torn rotator cuff. Now that he is preparing for the comeback, Ruiz also wants a Joshua trilogy.
Ruiz On Joshua
“He’s getting his momentum back. He’s getting his confidence back. I think that’s the most important thing. He’s doing what he’s supposed to do. I think he’s doing his thing. I’m just happy for him. I would love to have that trilogy with him. He gave me that opportunity. I gave him back that opportunity, and there’s one more. I want to become a two-time heavyweight champion of the world. AJ’s been doing good.
“He’s been taking out the guys that he’s supposed to. I’m not saying they’re super-good opponents that have really good skills. I’m sure if he fought someone else that had more skills, that wanted to win the fight and aren’t just facing him for the payday or the exposure, they want to win the fight and do whatever it takes – and I feel that should be me. I give it all I have. I die inside that ring. But he’s been doing good and he’s been doing his thing,” Ruiz stated
Joshua only has two years left in the sport, revealing that he wants to retire. He will likely target the biggest fight, meaning a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk and the Tyson Fury bout. There is also a chance that Joshua faces Deontay Wilder. That leaves Miller and Ruiz without the AJ fight.
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