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 means he fights against other very large athletes. He is also known by his nickname, "Big Baby."

Jarrell first became well-known in 2007. He competed 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 scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua for several heavyweight titles in 2019, but the fight did not happen.

Early life

Miller was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His mother has family from Belize and Ireland. His father has family from Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

When he was 14, Jarrell started learning Muay Thai. He learned it to help defend himself after being attacked on the street. He began boxing when he was 16 years old. Some of his early boxing heroes included famous fighters like Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe.

Boxing career

Amateur career

As an amateur boxer, Miller had a good start. He reached 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 points difference.

Jarrell had an amateur record of 10 wins and 1 loss. Seven of his wins were by knockout. He had a short amateur career because he also competed as a professional kickboxer.

Professional career

Jarrell Miller started his professional boxing journey at age 21. His first fight was on July 18, 2009. He fought Darius Whitson in a four-round match. Miller won the fight in the first round. The referee stopped the match because Whitson had a cut.

After a break from boxing, Miller returned in May 2011. He defeated Isaac Villanueva in the third round. Miller took another break before fighting again in April 2012. He stopped Donnie Crawford in the first round. In December of that year, Miller won against Tyrone Gibson.

On January 19, 2013, Miller fought Joey Dawejko. The fight went all four rounds and ended in a draw. Miller had two points taken away for pushing during the match.

In September 2013, Miller defeated Tobias Rice. Rice did not come out for the third round. Two months later, Miller knocked out Willie Chisolm in two rounds. In December, Miller fought Sylvester Barron. Miller knocked Barron down twice, and the referee stopped the fight. In January 2014, Miller won another fight by technical knockout in the fourth round against Jon Hill.

On May 5, Miller fought Joshua Harris. Miller was much heavier than Harris and knocked him out in the second round. This win helped Miller qualify for a New York State Heavyweight title fight against Derric Rossy.

Miller then fought Rodricka Ray in November. Miller won by a unanimous decision from the judges. On January 1, 2015, Miller fought in California for the first time. He won a clear decision against Aaron Kinch.

Raymond Ochieng challenged Miller to a fight in April 2015. Miller accepted and won in the first round. Miller's next fight was on June 4 against Damon McCreary. Miller won in the second round after McCreary fell through the ropes. Miller finished 2015 strong with two more wins, stopping Excell Holmes and Akhror Muralimov.

Rise up the ranks

Miller's first fight of 2016 was on January 23. He fought Donovan Dennis for the interim WBA-NABA heavyweight title. Miller won in the seventh round when the referee stopped the fight. After this win, Miller challenged other top champions like Charles Martin, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. Miller became the full NABA champion in February.

It was announced that Miller, who was now ranked by several boxing organizations, would fight Nick Guivas on May 27. This fight was for the vacant WBO NABO Heavyweight title. Miller continued his winning streak by knocking out Guivas in the second round. Miller knocked Guivas down four times in the fight. After the fight, Miller again called out top heavyweights like Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder.

Miller's next big test was against experienced fighter Fred Kassi on August 19. Miller wanted to stop Kassi quickly. Miller weighed his heaviest at 296.5 pounds for this fight. The fight lasted three rounds, with Miller winning. Kassi said he injured his hand and could not continue. Miller showed his strong, aggressive style by stopping Kassi.

In September 2016, Miller had some disagreements with his promoter. In December 2016, Joseph Parker, the new WBO heavyweight champion, mentioned Miller as a possible first opponent. Miller said he was looking for the right chance to fight for a title.

Miller vs. Washington

On June 27, 2017, it was announced that Miller would fight Gerald Washington on July 25. This was Miller's first fight after an 11-month break. Miller weighed a career-high 298.8 pounds for this fight. Miller won the fight after eight rounds when Washington's corner and the referee stopped the match. Washington had a good first round, but Miller took control with powerful punches. After the fight, Miller called Washington a tough fighter.

Miller vs. Wach

On September 24, 2017, it was announced that Miller would fight Mariusz Wach on November 11. Miller weighed 283.4 pounds for this fight, showing he had lost some weight. Wach weighed 268 pounds, making him the heaviest opponent Miller had faced.

Miller defeated Wach in the ninth round. The referee and Wach's corner stopped the fight because Wach had a hand injury. Wach had trouble with his hand from the early rounds. With his injury, Wach could not stop Miller's attacks. After the fight, Miller said he wanted to fight Dillian Whyte or Joseph Parker next. He felt these fights would lead him to a world title shot.

Miller vs. Duhaupas

On January 24, 2018, Miller said he wanted to fight Trevor Bryan. However, a deal was not reached. On February 6, it was reported that Miller would instead fight French boxer Johann Duhaupas on April 28. Duhaupas was ranked highly by several boxing organizations. Miller weighed 304.25 pounds for this fight, which was his heaviest weight yet. Duhaupas weighed 244.2 pounds.

Miller won the fight against Duhaupas by a clear decision after 12 rounds. This was the first time Miller had fought for 12 rounds as a professional. Miller was the main attacker, not letting Duhaupas get many punches in. With this win, Miller became a top challenger for the WBA title. After the fight, Miller said he wanted to fight Joshua in Brooklyn.

Miller vs. Adamek

On June 16, 2018, Miller was ordered to fight Kubrat Pulev. The winner would become the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua's IBF belt. Miller's team did not agree to the fight in Bulgaria, and the negotiations ended on July 10.

On August 2, 2018, former world champion Tomasz Adamek showed interest in fighting Miller. The fight was set for October 6, 2018, in Chicago. Miller won by knocking out Adamek in the second round. Miller weighed his career-heaviest at 317 pounds, while Adamek weighed 227 pounds. Miller knocked Adamek down, and Adamek did not get back up. In the first round, Miller hit Adamek with strong body and head shots.

Miller vs. Dinu

Knowing a fight with Anthony Joshua might not happen soon, Miller's team looked at the WBA 'regular' belt. On October 19, it was agreed that Miller would fight Fres Oquendo. However, Oquendo turned down the fight. Romanian boxer Bogdan Dinu then agreed to fight Miller on the same date. Dinu was ranked by the WBA and IBF. The fight took place on November 17. Miller weighed 315.25 pounds, much heavier than Dinu, who weighed 237.25 pounds.

Miller had predicted he would win in five rounds, and he knocked Dinu out in the fourth round. The first three rounds were competitive. Dinu landed some jabs, but Miller's power was strong. After the fight, Miller said he wanted to fight a British boxer in 2019.

Cancelled fights

Miller vs. Joshua

Miller was announced as Anthony Joshua's next opponent in February 2019. He was set to challenge for Joshua's heavyweight titles in June 2019. However, the fight was cancelled, and Miller was not given a license to box for the event.

Miller vs. Forrest

On October 31, 2019, it was reported that Miller was planning a comeback. On January 22, 2020, he signed a new deal. On June 16, 2020, it was announced that Miller was scheduled to fight Jerry Forrest on July 9. However, the fight was cancelled.

Return to the ring

Miller vs. Browne

Miller's next fight was announced for March 18, 2023, against former WBA regular heavyweight champion Lucas Browne. The event took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In his first important fight in over four years, Miller worked hard and stopped Browne in round six. Browne got up after being knocked down, but Miller continued with strong punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight. After the fight, Miller called out Joshua, saying they had "unfinished business."

In September 2023, the WBA ordered Miller to fight Mahmoud Charr. Talks for the fight were advanced, and it was planned for October in Nigeria. However, the fight was later cancelled due to financial reasons.

Miller vs. Dubois

In November 2023, a big boxing event was announced for December 23, 2023. One of the fights was Miller against British heavyweight Daniel Dubois. Dubois was looking to make a comeback after losing to Oleksandr Usyk. Days before the event, a video showed Miller taking the Shahada, which means he converted to Islam. Miller weighed 333 pounds, almost 100 pounds more than Dubois, who weighed 239 pounds. Dubois put on a great show and stopped Miller in the tenth round. Dubois seemed a bit nervous early on from Miller's pressure. But as the rounds went on, Dubois landed strong punches. By the tenth round, Dubois was in control. Miller took the punches until the referee stopped the fight with only 10 seconds left in the round. Both boxers hugged after the fight. Dubois said he felt his confidence had returned.

Miller vs. Ruiz Jr

Miller faced former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. on August 3, 2024. The fight took place in Los Angeles. The 12-round heavyweight bout ended in a majority draw. One judge scored the fight for Miller, but the other two judges scored it a draw. After the fight, Miller said he believed he won. He felt he threw more punches and kept the pressure on Ruiz Jr.

On October 17, 2024, Miller said he would fight British heavyweight Derek Chisora on February 8, 2025, in Manchester. However, in November, it was reported that the fight against Miller fell through. Miller said his promoter caused the fight to be cancelled. His promoter later said Miller was the one who turned down the fight. On November 27, Chisora was announced to fight Otto Wallin instead.

Exhibition bout

Jarrell Miller fought Antonio Zepeda in an exhibition match on June 11, 2023. This fight was on the undercard of a bigger event.

Kickboxing career

Miller started kickboxing when he was 14 years old. He became well-known as a kickboxer while fighting for the New Jersey Tigers in the World Combat League in 2007–08. On May 3, 2008, he defeated K-1 veteran Pat Barry. This was a big achievement for him at the time. Miller had an amateur kickboxing record of 14 wins and no losses, with 7 knockouts.

After the World Combat League ended, Miller continued as a professional kickboxer. He built a record of 19 wins and no losses in New York's heavyweight Muay Thai scene. During this time, he also started his professional boxing career.

In 2012, after a knockout win in New York City, he was invited to join K-1. K-1 is a very famous kickboxing organization. In his first K-1 fight on September 8, 2012, he fought Jack May. Miller knocked May out in the first round with an uppercut. This win allowed him to move on to the next round of the K-1 World Grand Prix. On October 14, 2012, he fought Arnold Oborotov. Miller won by a clear decision after dominating the fight.

At the K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL in Zagreb on March 15, 2013, he fought Mirko Cro Cop in the quarter-finals. The judges all scored the fight for Cro Cop. This was Miller's first professional loss in kickboxing.

He signed with SUPERKOMBAT in August 2013. Miller fought Mirko Cro Cop again on June 21, 2014. He lost this rematch by a unanimous decision. Miller finished his professional kickboxing career with a record of 22 wins and 2 losses, with 10 knockouts.

Highlights

• Defeated Jack May - KO (1) - K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Los Angeles
• Defeated Arnold Oborotov - UD-3 - K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo final 16 - First Round

Professional boxing record

Exhibition boxing record

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

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