Jarrell Miller is still motivated to face Anthony Joshua, wanting a rematch with Daniel Dubois
Controversial American heavyweight boxer Jarrell Miller still hopes to one day face Anthony Joshua.
The two were scheduled to meet at Madison Square Garden in 2019 but a heated altercation involving a physical altercation during a confrontation proved all for nothing when Miller tested positive for banned substances. Andy Ruiz Jr. received the order to replace Miller and the rest is history.
Joshua has regained his form recently and could be ready for a shot at the IBF heavyweight championship at Wembley Stadium in September. The chance to own the belt he won in 2016 could only happen. out if it is vacated after Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury meet to determine who will become the undisputed champion on May 18.
Miller, 26-1-1 (22), edged Joshua in December during fight week in Riyadh when the two had very different assignments on the same card. Five years since they were supposed to fight, the New Yorker uses the hope of knocking out Joshua as daily fuel for his own career.
“That's definitely what motivates me every day,” he said Boxing news today (April 24).
“He looked good against Francis Ngannou but he hasn't been good against so many fighters lately. When you have a mean, hungry asshole who wants to come out, that's a different story.”
Miller would have to defeat Andy Ruiz at least on August 3 to be considered a viable opponent for Joshua or another top contender in the future.
Their heavyweight bout was part of the first ever Riyadh Season event in the United States, which featured a series of major promoters working together, led by Terence Crawford's move to super lightweight for takes on reigning WBA champion Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Miller attended today's launch press conference in New York and spoke with BN then came face to face with his friend Ruiz.
“It's going to be fun until we start training camp and then things get a little more intense but for now, we're both happy to be here.”
BN then asked Miller how he thought Ruiz's inactivity could play a role in their fight but the 35-year-old instead used the moment to make his case why did he lose to Daniel Dubois last time.
“Not only did I have three-and-a-half to four weeks of training for that fight, but I didn't sign the contract until about two weeks before the fight.
“There were a lot of last-minute things done around that fight. There was so much shit behind the scenes, I did it in my head a few times and tried my best to stay in it.”
“I want the rematch,” he added.
