Jarrell Miller could be set for a surprise opportunity to become world heavyweight champion.
Miller is a polarising figure in the sport, having first come to prominence after a series of wins over fighters such as Gerald Washington, Mariusz Wach, Johann Dahuapas and Tomasz Adamek.
Those victories earned Miller a lucrative clash against then unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in June 2019, with the bout set to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
A few weeks out from the fight, Miller failed multiple drugs tests after testing positive for various substances, costing him the fight and his reputation.
After a several year absence he returned in 2022 and claimed some low-key wins, setting up a fight against Daniel Dubois in December 2023, which ‘DDD’ won by tenth round stoppage.
Miller then faced the man who replaced him against ‘AJ’ in 2019 by squaring off with Andy Ruiz last August, putting in a spirited performance in a fight that ended in a majority draw, with some believing Miller should have got the verdict.
It seems that showing from Miller may have now earned him a shot at the world heavyweight title, after it was revealed that WBA Regular champion Kubrat Pulev is interested in a bout against the American.
Pulev won the belt in December with a unanimous decision victory over Mahmoud Charr, and the Bulgarian’s promoter John Wirt told Sky Sports that a fight against Miller is their target.
“Yes, Kubrat is interested in a fight with Jarrell. We have several options on the table that we are currently exploring, and I can confirm that Jarrell is one of them.
“This is a fight [promoter] Dmitriy Salita called me about right after Kubrat won the title. Given everything happening in the division, we believe this fight can make sense.”
Miller is currently ranked number 13 in the WBA rankings, and promoter Dmitriy Salita has confirmed that talks to stage a fight against Pulev have taken place.
“I’ve had substantial conversations with Pulev’s promoter for some time regarding a fight with Jarrell, and they are interested.
“Jarrell has also shown interest. When I signed Jarrell years ago, I promised to do everything I could to help him become heavyweight champion of the world, following the rich Brooklyn, NYC heritage of Tyson and Riddick Bowe.
“It almost happened against Joshua, and now, with a title and a win over Pulev, a Joshua fight for the world title becomes bigger than ever.”
The WBA Regular title continues to divide opinion with the sport over whether it is required, due to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk holding the ‘Super’ version of the belt, alongside his WBC and WBO straps.
The IBF title is held by former Miller foe Dubois, who returns in February to make a defence against Joseph Parker, and Miller has made it clear exactly what he thinks of the British star.
