Oleksandr Usyk is still regarded as the very best in the heavyweight division, but one man thinks he has what it takes to defeat the great Ukrainian.
Usyk has set all new records with his boxing career. The Olympic gold medallist soon made his mark on the professional ranks by becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018, then moved up to heavyweight and cleaned out the division.
Two wins over each of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois saw him become the first man in the history of the four-belt era to be a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Still unbeaten and edging towards 40 years of age, Usyk returns to the ring in Egypt in May but is already being called out for fights further down the line.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Jarrell Miller had some praise for Usyk but also backed himself of they were to fight.
“Man, listen, he’s a great fighter man, but when you’re fighting a bully like me, ain’t nowhere to run and hide. Uysk doesn’t really have crazy punching power; he has a problem with guys who go to the body and throw a lot of punches.”
He then reflected on his latest unanimous points decision win over Lenier Pero in their WBA Heavyweight title eliminator in Las Vegas, and suggested that will give him momentum going into his next fight.
“With that performance, it’s just a little glimpse of what I can do. Main thing is going back to the drawing board, it’s work, being ready for anybody.”
He then admitted he hopes Usyk’s next opponent, kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, has a good go but doesn’t retire Usyk, so Miller can fight him in future.
“Rico is my guy, so I’m not going to talk shit about anybody, but Rico is a kickboxer, and not a boxer. After this fight, I’m hoping Rico can clip his arse a little bit cause I’m a kickboxer, and they say kickboxers can’t box. So I do want Rico to do well in that fight, but at the same time, I want Usyk to come back so I can spank him as well.”
Miller’s latest win was only his second since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in 2023, having fought to a draw with Andy Ruiz in 2024 and then beaten Kinglsey Ibeh on points back in January.
