Looks like heavyweight Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (23-0-1, 20 KOs) will headline a July 9 ESPN card. “Big Baby” hasn’t fought since 2018 against Bogdan Dinu. He was slated to challenge Anthony Joshua last year, but failed multiple drug tests and was subsequently replaced by Andy Ruiz.
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The camp of Oleksandr Usyk say they’ll force Anthony Joshua to do his mandatory against Usyk before facing Tyson Fury or get him stripped. “Either Joshua fights Usyk first or fights Fury without the WBO belt,” Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports.
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Saturday’s ESPN card featuring WBO junior featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete will go on even if the Mexico City Commission cannot sanction the event since Mexico’s Federal Commission is onboard. The event is following strict protocols and will have no spectators.
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I would not mind seeing AJ fight Usyk. However, I still think Usyk should have a tune-up fight to get accustomed to the bigger punchers. Usyk has a habit of pushing his punches in the later rounds of a fight rather than properly setting down on his power. Yes, it’s a high work rate, but is it really enough to fend off a bigger man who can throw harder punches than a cruiserweight? I am concerned that tactic will not work against a true heavyweight that can take a punch and throw counters with some density behind the punches. Yes, I could be wrong, but I am also being honest.
As for Miller, I wonder if he learned his lesson of not doping and cutting back on food placed on the dinner plate? Miller is a big man, but he also pushes his punches and seems to slow as the fight progresses. This is not a good tactic against Fury, AJ, and even Wilder.
I agree with your analysis and with the fact that Usyk needs a tune-up fight before facing the current HW champion of the world. But we already know that AJ struggle’s with fast and technically sound fighters and in this genre Usyk is the best ever and a two times Olympic gold medalist. If Usyk gets a good tune-up fight before facing AJ my bet would be on Usyk in a 55/45% fight. Bye
Good points. Thank you for your feedback.
No more delays. AJ vs Fury. No more of these b.s fights.
Like AJ vs Ruiz. LOL.
Well, let’s see how Usyk does against a top ten heavyweight, hopefully his fight with Chisora materialises and we will see how he copes under pressure against an experienced heavyweight, both will have their hands full, I got this as a 60/40 in favour Usyk.
Usyk should not even have opportunity to fight him
Not fair for the rest of the fighters
Only 1 heavyweight fight!
It is fair per governing body. A champion can move up and weight to challenge the champ. I like that vs optional defenses against someone number 12 in the rankings.
I was a big baby Miller fan. I found it phonomenal such a big guy with that high work rate would mow anybody over. I love his aggression. Interesting to see if he can still fight like that without the juice. He needs to get fighting and make up all that money he lost not getting the AJ fight.
I agree, Miller moves good for a large man. I do not like the fact he moves straight in and his head is open (most of the time) for counters. Miller also slaps his punches at times when he should commit more often with better body mechanics. However, Miller’s ability to take a punch and keep moving in could wear out many inexperienced fighters with their arsenal of counter punches. Miller vs Ortiz would have been a decent match up to watch.
Don’t Usyk have to worry about Chisora who is not gonna be a walk in the park either
Joshua no longer needs belts.
Fury either
Miller is not that good really if one thinks of it, does not punch that hard, not a force in the division, but he is a good contender, his style could upset any of the top heavyweights. Makes the sport interesting.
Agree rules are rules and as such Usyk is the mandatory challenger, also an Usyk fan, but he has shown nothing at heavyweight yet.
Usyk has nothing to stand on here. He’s been fighting other guys getting used to this division. AJ will be granted a stay to fight Fury at least once. when he loses he’ll be forced a rematch with Fury.