By: Sean Crose
He’s one of the most exciting fighters in the heavyweight division. A confident, outspoken New Yorker who can change things at any moment. Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is certainly a fighter to watch in a newly invigorated heavyweight division after Klitschko. Then there’s a scheduled fight with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in Joshua’s US debut. Miller tested positive for a banned substance before the fight, meaning his chances of becoming a world champion were over. Andy Ruiz replaced Miller as Joshua’s opponent – and beat Joshua in thrilling fashion. Now, five years later, Miller will face Ruiz on Saturday night on the undercard of the Terence Crawford – Israil Madrimov pay-per-view card.
With both Miller and Ruiz needing impressive wins, the question remains: Can Big Baby bounce back? Of course, much of that will depend on him, as well as Ruiz. It’s worth remembering that Miller tested positive for banned substances again after the Joshua disaster, which has fans understandably questioning just how good he is. After all, he lost his last fight, a stoppage by Daniel Dubois in December.
It’s worth noting, however, that Dubois is a top heavyweight and a single loss would be a return to that kind of fight, rather than a career-ending one, as it has been (ridiculously) in recent years. “I work hard,” Miller said. “Don’t get me wrong. When I’m in the gym, I’m working my ass off. The Dubois fight woke up a demon in me, it woke up a demon in me that I haven’t seen in a while, and come August 3rd, I’m going to beat Andy Ruiz.”
Ruiz, of course, has other ideas. The Californian has fought very little since losing the heavyweight title he won to Joshua in a rematch that same year. Like Miller, Ruiz knows how important a win this weekend is. “I know he’s hungry,” Ruiz said of his opponent. “I know he wants to win, but so do I. I want to win, I’m hungry and I’m motivated. I’m ready and physically prepared. Let’s do this!” While there are no guarantees in boxing, it’s safe to say that these two powerful heavyweights will have an entertaining fight this weekend in Los Angeles. “One thing about me,” Miller said, “I’ve never run from a fight. I never have and I never will.”
