Jarrell Miller (born July 15, 1988) is an American professional boxer and former kickboxer. In boxing, at regional level, he held the NABA and NABO heavyweight titles from 2016 to 2017. He holds notable wins over former world champions Tomasz Adamek and Lucas Browne. In kickboxing, he competed in the WCL, K-1, and Glory.
Early life Miller was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His mother is of Belizean and Irish descent, his father is of Haitian and Dominican descent. He took up Boxing at the age of 14, as a way to defend himself after being attacked on the street. He began Muay Thai at the age of 16. Miller has highlighted some of his early boxing idols, including Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe.
Amateur career As an amateur boxer, Miller reached the final of the 2007 New York Golden Gloves Heavyweight tournament at the Madison Square Garden in New York, where he lost to Tor Hamer on points (4–1). Miller had an amateur record of 10–1, with 7 wins by knockout. Miller had a limited amateur career due to him being forced to turn professional as he was also a professional kickboxer.
Professional boxing career
Early career Miller made his professional boxing debut at the age of 21 on July 18, 2009, at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, in Franklin Square, New York. His opponent was an experienced 36-year-old Darius Whitson in a scheduled 4-round bout. Miller won the fight by TKO in the first round due to the ring doctor stopping the match because of a cut Darius Whitson received from an accidental headbutt. After a 22-month break from boxing, in May 2011, Miller defeated Isaac Villanueva via third-round TKO at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan.
Miller took another gap from boxing for 11 months, returning to the ring in April 2012 at the Cordon Bleu in Woodhaven, New York, against American boxer Donnie Crawford, stopping him 2 minutes and 38 seconds of round one. In December of that year, Miller defeated 36-year-old Tyrone Gibson at the Roseland Ballroom.
On January 19, 2013, Miller was in a scheduled 4-round bout against 22-year-old up-and-comer Joey Dawejko (7–1–1, 3 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. The fight went the full 4 rounds and was ruled as a draw on all scorecards 37–37, 3 times. Miller was deducted 2 points for pushing during the fight.
In September 2013, Miller defeated Tobias Rice, when Rice failed to come out for round 3. Two months later, Miller knocked out 34-year-old Willie Chisolm in 2 rounds. In December, Miller fought 39-year-old southpaw Sylvester Barron (8–2, 3 KOs). Miller outclassed Barron in the scheduled 6-round fight, knocking him down once in round 1 and again in round 2 before referee Benjy Esteves Jr. stopped the fight. In January 2014, Miller fought at the Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester, Pennsylvania, against Jon Hill (6–4, 5 KOs), winning the fight via technical knockout in round 4.
On May 5, Miller fought at the Millennium Theater in Brighton Beach, New York, against Joshua Harris, who was a last-minute replacement moving up from cruiserweight. Miller, who weighed in 50 pounds heavier, knocked out and stopped Harris inside 2 rounds. Miller was originally scheduled to fight Vincent Thompson, who had been arrested before the event for his role in six armed bank robberies. This win ensured Miller would qualify for a vacant ten-round New York State Heavyweight title showdown against Derric Rossy.
Miller next fought in November against Rodricka Ray in a scheduled 6-round fight. Miller won via unanimous decision with the judges scoring in his favor 60–54, 59–55, and 59–55. On January 1, 2015, Miller fought in California for the first time since turning professional. His opponent was 35-year-old Aaron Kinch. The fight went a full 6 rounds as Miller won a shut out decision 60–54, 60–54, and 60–53.
Raymond Ochieng (26–18–3, 21 KOs) called out Miller following his win over David Rodriguez in 2014. Miller accepted and they faced off in April 2015. Miller won via first-round TKO. Miller next had a scheduled fight on June 4 against 41-year-old Damon McCreary (15–4, 11 KOs). Miller won the bout via 2nd round stoppage after Miller gave McCreary a beating, until he slumped through the bottom ropes, falling through helpless and defenseless in a sitting position. Miller had two more bouts in 2015, finishing the year strong, stopping Excell Holmes and Akhror Muralimov inside the distance.
Rise up the ranks Miller had his first fight of 2016 on January 23 at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona, for the interim WBA-NABA heavyweight title against Donovan Dennis (12–2, 10 KOs). Miller defeated Dennis when the fight was called by the referee at 2:31 of the 7th round. In the post-fight interview, Miller called out then IBF champion Charles Martin, WBC champion Deontay Wilder, Unified world champion Anthony Joshua. Miller took full distinction as NABA champion on February 1, after Shannon Briggs was stripped of the title.
It was announced that Miller, who was now ranked WBO #11, WBA #12 and IBF #15, would next fight on May 27, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York against Nick Guivas (12–3–2, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO NABO Heavyweight title, previously held by Charles Martin. Miller kept his unbeaten run intact as he knocked out the over-matched Guivas in the 2nd-round. Miller used power shots to the body of Guivas to knock him down four times in the fight, with two of the knockdowns coming in the 1st round. Referee Dick Pakozdi stopped the fight officially at 1:26 of the 2nd round with Miller claiming the vacant title. In the post-fight interview, Miller again called out top heavyweights Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Salita Promotions announced that Miller would be fighting on the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on August 19 at the outdoor Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, New York. His opponent would be his toughest test to date, seasoned veteran Fred Kassi (18–5–1, 10 KOs). Miller, determined to stop Kassi inside the distance, said, "I'm ready to put his lights out like I do everybody else. I know he's durable and a little older than me. He's a tough guy and he can take a beating. So far, he's only been stopped once. I'll be the second." Miller weighed in his heaviest at 296.5 pounds since turning pro. The fight only lasted three rounds, with Miller coming out on top. After the third round, Kassi complained that he had injured his right hand and did not come out for the 4th round. Kassi started well in the opening round, connecting his shots, but ultimately became a punch bag for the remainder of the fight leaning against the ropes while Miller unloaded with body shots. Miller showed off his aggressive style by stopping Kassi.
In September 2016, Miller accused his promoter of breaching their contract. Although nothing was disclosed, rumours surfaced it was because of Miller's recent fight purses where he stated he had been underpaid. Miller started making noise in December 2016 when new WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker listed him as a potential first defence along with British boxers Hughie Fury and David Price. The news initially came when the WBO stated Parker could make a voluntary defence after mandatory challenger David Haye decided to take up a grudge match against fellow Brit Tony Bellew. Only fighting twice in 2016, Miller said that he was looking for the right opportunity. Miller started calling out Joseph Parker, saying he would fight him anywhere.
Miller vs. Washington, Wach On June 27, 2017, it was announced that Miller would fight former world title challenger Gerald Washington (18–1–1, 12 KOs) on the undercard of Garcia-Broner at the Barclays Center in New York on July 25 in a 10-round bout, this was Miller's first fight back after an 11-month layoff. Miller weighed in a career high 298.8 pounds while Washington weighed 248 pounds, 9 pounds heavier than when he challenged Wilder for the WBC title in February 2017. After the weigh in, the face off was tense as Miller was trash-talking Washington, who never did any trash-talking back. Miller then threw his promotional cap towards Washington as the face off was broken up. Miller broke down Washington over 8 rounds eventually forcing the corner and referee stopping the fight. Washington had a good opening round, but Miller took control landing power shots and causing heavy punishment. Washington suffered his second consecutive stoppage loss. Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports general manager praised Miller and said he could soon feature on 'Showtime Championship Boxing'. Miller spoke with Showtime after the fight and called Washington a warrior, "I knew there would be a give and take in this fight. It's one thing to fight when you have stamina; it's another to fight when you're tired. I was trying to out-think him [...] Gerald was very tough. It was a very good fight that had me thinking. My power was there. I took the hard way back coming in off of a layoff. Gerald definitely pushed me and motivated me. I had to rely on my brain and my power." Miller received a $70,000 purse for the win, while Washington earned $50,000.
On September 24, 2017 HBO announced that Miller would appear as a co-feature alongside fellow New York fighter Daniel Jacobs on a card which would take place on November 11 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This would be the second event at the Coliseum since it re-opened in July 2017. Prior to that date, no event had taken place there since 1986. A day later it was revealed that 37 year old former world title challenger Mariusz Wach (33–2, 17 KOs) would be Miller's opponent for his HBO debut. Miller weighed 283.4 pounds, showing that he had lost weight rather than gain more, as he had done in his last two fights. Wach weighed a career-high 268 pounds, also making him the heaviest opponent Miller had fought. Miller defeated Wach by TKO in the ninth round, moving him closer to a potential world title fight. Miller had a tougher time than expected as Wach pressured him many times. The fight was stopped by the referee and Wach's corner during the ninth round due to Wach suffering a hand injury. The injury had been a problem for Wach from the early rounds but seemed to get worse to the point where Wach was no longer using his right hand from round 7, other than for just an occasional shot. With the injury, Wach was unable to hold back Miller. The ringside doctor ended the fight at 1:02 of round nine.
In the post fight interview, Miller said, "The next fight on the table for me that makes sense is Dillian Whyte or Joseph Parker. Those 2 fights make sense to me, because who are they fighting? Parker fought Hughie Fury, who I know didn't deserve a title shot. Whyte is not a mandatory [for WBC champion Deontay Wilder]. I think Dillian Whyte should come and fight me. I'd be a good fight, and then the winner of that gets AJ or Deontay." Talking about Wach, he said, "He hit me with a couple of shots, and it hurt me. The main thing was to try and stay on his chest. I gave myself a rating of an F, because it wasn't my best performance and I was lighter. For the fight, Miller landed 204 of 620 punches thrown (33%), whilst Wach landed 95 of 328 (29%). Miller's debut on HBO averaged 673,000 viewers and peaked at 739,000 viewers.
Miller vs. Duhaupas