Jarrell Miller facts for kids

Jarrell Miller (born July 15, 1988) is an American professional boxer and former kickboxer. He competes in the heavyweight division, which is for the biggest boxers. He became well-known in 2007 when he fought for the New Jersey Tigers in the World Combat League. That same year, he reached the finals of the New York Golden Gloves boxing tournament. Miller was supposed to fight Anthony Joshua for several heavyweight titles in 2019. However, he was not allowed to box after tests showed he had substances in his system that are not allowed in sports.

Early Life and Training

Jarrell Miller was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His family background includes Belizean, Irish, Haitian, and Dominican roots. When he was 14, he started learning Muay Thai, a type of martial art, to help him defend himself. He began boxing at age 16. Miller looked up to famous boxers like Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe when he was starting out.

Boxing Career Highlights

Amateur Boxing

As an amateur boxer, Miller had a good start. He made it to the final of the 2007 New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight tournament. This big event took place at Madison Square Garden in New York. He lost that final match to Tor Hamer by a small margin. Overall, Miller had a record of 10 wins and only 1 loss as an amateur. Seven of his wins were by knockout. He had a short amateur career because he also competed as a professional kickboxer.

Professional Boxing Debut

Miller started his professional boxing career when he was 21 years old. His first fight was on July 18, 2009. He fought Darius Whitson, an experienced boxer, in a four-round match. Miller won the fight in the first round. The referee stopped the match because Whitson had a cut. After this, Miller took a break from boxing for almost two years.

He returned to the ring in May 2011, winning against Isaac Villanueva. He then took another break, coming back in April 2012 to defeat Donnie Crawford. In December of that year, Miller won against Tyrone Gibson.

In January 2013, Miller faced Joey Dawejko. This fight went all four rounds and ended in a draw. Miller had two points taken away during the fight for pushing.

Later in 2013, Miller continued his winning streak. He defeated Tobias Rice and Willie Chisolm. In December, he fought Sylvester Barron, knocking him down twice before the referee stopped the fight. In January 2014, Miller won another fight by technical knockout against Jon Hill.

In May 2014, Miller fought Joshua Harris. Miller was much heavier than Harris and won by knockout in the second round. This win helped Miller qualify for a New York State Heavyweight title match. He then won against Rodricka Ray by unanimous decision. In January 2015, Miller fought in California for the first time, winning against Aaron Kinch.

Miller continued to win in 2015. He defeated Raymond Ochieng and Damon McCreary by TKO. He finished the year strong with two more wins, stopping Excell Holmes and Akhror Muralimov.

Moving Up in the Ranks

In January 2016, Miller won the interim WBA-NABA heavyweight title by defeating Donovan Dennis. After this win, Miller challenged other top heavyweight champions. He became the full NABA champion in February.

In May 2016, Miller fought Nick Guivas for the vacant WBO NABO Heavyweight title. Miller won by knockout in the second round, keeping his unbeaten record. He again called out famous heavyweights like Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua.

In August 2016, Miller faced Fred Kassi, who was considered his toughest opponent yet. Miller won the fight after Kassi injured his hand and could not continue. Miller showed his aggressive style in this match.

In late 2016, Miller was mentioned as a possible opponent for the new WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker. Miller was eager for a big opportunity.

Miller vs. Washington

In July 2017, Miller fought Gerald Washington. Miller won by stopping Washington in the eighth round. Miller landed many powerful punches throughout the fight. After the win, Miller said Washington was a tough fighter.

Miller vs. Wach

In November 2017, Miller fought Mariusz Wach. Miller won by TKO in the ninth round. Wach had a hand injury that made it hard for him to continue. Miller said he wanted to fight Dillian Whyte or Joseph Parker next.

Miller vs. Duhaupas

In April 2018, Miller fought Johann Duhaupas. Miller won the 12-round fight by unanimous decision. He was very aggressive and landed many punches. This win made Miller a mandatory challenger for the WBA title. After the fight, Miller said he wanted to fight Anthony Joshua.

Miller vs. Adamek

In October 2018, Miller fought former world champion Tomasz Adamek. Miller won by knockout in the second round. Miller was much heavier than Adamek and used his power to win quickly.

Miller vs. Dinu

In November 2018, Miller fought Bogdan Dinu. Miller knocked Dinu out in the fourth round. This was Miller's second win in six weeks. He said he wanted to fight a British boxer next.

Cancelled Fights Due to Banned Substances

Miller vs. Joshua

In February 2019, Jarrell Miller was announced as Anthony Joshua's next opponent. They were set to fight for several heavyweight titles in June 2019. However, before the fight, tests showed that Miller had substances in his system that are not allowed in sports. Because of this, the New York State Athletic Commission did not give him a license to box. More tests also showed other banned substances. Miller was removed from the fight card. The WBA gave Miller a six-month ban and removed him from their rankings.

Miller vs. Forrest

In October 2019, it was reported that Miller was planning a comeback. He signed a deal with Top Rank Inc. In June 2020, Miller was scheduled to fight Jerry Forrest. However, Miller again failed a pre-fight test for a banned substance. He was expected to be suspended again. Miller said he never willingly took substances to improve his performance in fights. He explained that he might have taken something for healing injuries. He also said that a certain pill he took caused the failed test. The Nevada Athletic Commission gave Miller a 24-month ban. This meant he could not return to the ring until January 2022.

Return to the Ring

In October 2021, Miller announced he was training again. He planned to return to fighting in 2022. In March 2022, a panel allowed Miller to get a license from June 17, 2022, as long as he continued to have clean test results.

In June 2022, after more than three years out of the ring, Miller fought Ariel Esteban Bracamonte in Argentina. Miller won the 10-round fight by unanimous decision. He weighed a lot for this fight, and it took him a few rounds to get back into his rhythm.

In July 2022, Miller returned to fight in the United States against Derek Cardenas. Miller weighed less than his previous fight and stopped Cardenas in the fourth round. Miller knocked Cardenas down three times during the match.

In November 2022, the Nevada State Athletic Commission lifted Miller's suspension. This meant he could now fight in Las Vegas and other U.S. states.

Miller vs. Browne

In March 2023, Miller fought former WBA regular heavyweight champion Lucas Browne in Dubai. This was Miller's first important fight in over four years. Miller worked hard and stopped Browne in the sixth round. After the fight, Miller called out Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, saying they had "unfinished business."

In September 2023, the WBA ordered Miller to fight Mahmoud Charr for a title. Talks for the fight were advanced, but it was cancelled due to financial reasons.

Miller vs. Dubois

In December 2023, Miller fought British heavyweight Daniel Dubois. Miller weighed much more than Dubois for this fight. Dubois won the fight by stopping Miller in the tenth round. Dubois landed many powerful punches throughout the fight. After the loss, Miller said he would get in better shape and prepare for longer training camps. His trainer also said he needed to lose weight to be considered a top heavyweight.

Miller vs. Ruiz Jr

In August 2024, Miller fought former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. in Los Angeles. The fight ended in a majority draw, meaning one judge scored it for Miller, but the other two scored it a draw. Miller was the more aggressive fighter and kept the pressure on Ruiz. Miller felt he won the fight, saying he threw more punches and was more effective. Ruiz later shared a picture of his injured right hand, saying it affected his performance.

Failed Fight Attempts

In October 2024, Miller said he would fight British heavyweight Derek Chisora in February 2025. However, the fight did not happen. Miller claimed his former promoter caused the fight to fall apart.

In April 2025, a fight between Miller and British heavyweight Fabio Wardley was being planned for June 2025. Miller tried to upset Wardley at a press conference by wearing a rival team's shirt. However, Miller later pulled out of the fight, saying he had a shoulder injury. He also announced that he had officially split with his promoter.

Exhibition Bout

Jarrell Miller had an exhibition match against Antonio Zepeda on June 11, 2023. This was a non-scored fight, meaning there was no official winner or loser.

Kickboxing Career

Miller started kickboxing at age 14. He became known in kickboxing while fighting for the New Jersey Tigers in 2007–08. In May 2008, he defeated K-1 veteran Pat Barry. As an amateur kickboxer, Miller had an impressive record of 14 wins and no losses.

As a professional kickboxer, Miller had a record of 19 wins and no losses in Muay Thai. In 2012, he joined K-1, a famous kickboxing organization. He won his first two fights in K-1, including a knockout win against Jack May.

In March 2013, Miller fought Mirko Cro Cop in a K-1 tournament. He lost this fight by unanimous decision, which was his first professional loss. He later fought Cro Cop again in June 2014 and lost by unanimous decision again. Miller finished his professional kickboxing career with 22 wins and 2 losses.

Doping Suspension in Kickboxing

In 2014, Miller was suspended for nine months by the California State Athletic Commission. This happened after a banned substance was found in a test he took after a kickboxing match.

Professional boxing record

Exhibition boxing record

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Kickboxing record

21 Wins, 2 Losses
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
2014-06-21	Loss	Mirko Cro Cop	Glory 17: Los Angeles	Inglewood, California	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00
2013-03-15	Loss	Mirko Cro Cop	K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb, Quarter Finals	Zagreb, Croatia	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00
2012-10-14	Win	Arnold Oborotov	K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo final 16	Tokyo, Japan	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00
2012-09-08	Win	Jack May	K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Los Angeles	Los Angeles, USA	KO (uppercut)	1	2:42
Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also

In Spanish: Jarrell Miller para niños