Jarrell Miller has confirmed that he is in discussions to fight Derek Chisora in January.
The 40-year-old Chisora revived his career when in July he so unexpectedly outpointed Joe Joyce.
The following month Miller, previously stopped by Daniel Dubois, drew with Andy Ruiz, leaving him on course to fight Chisora in Manchester in their combined attempts to return to contention in a heavyweight division in a relative state of flux.
That there is so little suggestion of them again joining promotions associated with the powerbrokers of Saudi Arabia demonstrates that they remain far from considered among the elite, but at 36 Miller, unlike Chisora, is perhaps a fighter close to the peak of his powers, and he told BoxingScene: “That’s the biggest one we’re talking about right now – Chisora. It’s not locked in yet; the deal’s not signed yet. But there are definitely talks.
“We’re gonna see; we’re gonna see. We don’t have the arena locked down yet, but it’s looking like Manchester in January.
“I love it. I think it’s a great fight. I don’t think it’s an easy one but I think it’s a win. I’ve gotta go in there and beat my boy up.
“It’s so funny – as you get older in the sport of boxing, your fellow boxers become mates, I would say. It’s hard to avoid everybody at the top eventually [even if you like them] – some of us have gotta fight. I’ve a level of respect for Chisora. I like him, as much as I like Andy [Ruiz], so hopefully I can fight him.
“I told people, ‘If Chisora’s in shape, and his chin can stand up, I think he can beat Joe Joyce; Joe Joyce is very slow, he’s not very active, and so Derek could get rid of him’. Chisora’s a little past his prime, but sometimes an old dog got tricks, man. He’s an old dog that got tricks.
“I worry about him. He got two hands and two feet like me, so I’m worried about Chisora [fighting on]. But I’ma train my ass off ‘cause if you give a dog a chance, he gonna bite you. The whole point is to go in there, and put a dog down.
“You might hear about it real soon, but the contract’s not signed yet.”
Miller has been working under Derek “Bozy” Ennis, the respected trainer and father of Jaron “Boots” Ennis, at his Philadelphia-based gym.
For a fighter who has served three drug bans his recruitment of Ennis – also recognised for his progress with the talented Cuban lightweight Andy Cruz – perhaps represents a new start, and he said: “It’s great. Bozy Ennis – it’s good, man. I like it. He’s one of the coaches on my team now. Bozy’s a good guy, man. I love the atmosphere – Philly and Brooklyn are very close by.
“Bozy’s a great addition to the team, man. Hard work; no bullshit. That’s the shit I like, man. I don’t like trainers that are trying to play it safe or are intimidated to throw it to a fighter ‘cause they’re afraid of losing their job. I’m from Brooklyn – if we ain’t cussing, ‘Motherfucker you gotta run’, that don’t hit with me very well.
“It’s great. Feeding off their energy. It’s fun – the atmosphere’s fun – and it’s hard work. Those guys hitting the bag; I gotta hit the bag. They doing 10 rounds; I gotta do 12. It’s a great gym; a great atmosphere, man.
“Philly and Brooklyn are very similar, man. The only thing that changes is Philly cheesesteak and pizzas.
“One hundred per cent [it’s good for me to be in a different environment]. I drive an hour to be where I stay. I go to the Poconos [Mountains], and then an hour to the gym.”
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