Jarrell Miller’s next move wasn’t a big secret. But it’s official. The heavyweight who calls himself Big Baby signed a multi-fight deal with Top Rank, it was announced Wednesday.
Miller, who was rumored to be in talks with Top Rank for months, reached an oral agreement with the promotional entity a couple of weeks ago, according to The Athletic.
The controversial Miller, who hasn’t fought since a stoppage of Bogdan Dinu in November 2018, was supposed to fight Anthony Joshua on June 1 last year but was disqualified when he failed a drug test. Andy Ruiz Jr. stepped in as a late sub and the rest is history. Ruiz stunned Joshua in a huge upset and then Joshua took back his belts on Dec. 7 with a decision over Ruiz in a rematch.
“Minor setback for a major comeback,’’ Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) said in a release announcing the deal. “I’m coming for everything and everyone. No one is safe. Say hello to the bad guy.
“Everyone wants to portray the superhero. We don’t live in a sunshine world. I’ll never be the superhero. In my world, the majority of the time, the villain wins.”
The Big Villain, all 300-plus pounds of him, gives Top Rank another heavyweight in a division that has been heating up as it awaits the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder rematch on Feb 22 on ESPN/Fox pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. Top Rank co-promotes Fury
Miller’s Top Rank deal comes about a month after his co-promoter, Greg Cohen, was sentenced in New York to six months in federal prison for wire fraud involving a loan for a stock investment.
Cohen’s sentence also includes three years under supervised release and 150 hours of community service. Cohen, who co-promotes Miller with Dmitriy Salita, was quoted in the Top Rank release.
“I couldn’t be happier that after months of hard work and perseverance, we were able to make this deal a reality,” Cohen said. “Top Rank is the perfect partner and ESPN the perfect platform for Jarrell to realize his full potential and become the dominant force in the heavyweight division. Time for Big Baby to get back in the ring!”
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum was optimistic about Miller and his chances of playing a serious role in the heavyweight division.
“Jarrell Miller is serious about coming back, doing things the right way and becoming heavyweight champion of the world,” Arum said. “He is one of boxing’s most unique and exciting characters, but most importantly, he can fight.”