Jarrell Miller

Early life

Miller was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and is of Caribbean and Latin American descent. He took up Muay Thai as a way to defend himself after being attacked on the street. He began Muay Thai at age of 14 and boxing at 16.

Professional boxing 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).

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 was credit the fight after the second round due to ring doctor stopping the match because of a cut Darius Whitson received from an accidental headbut. 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 as was ruled as a draw on all scorecards (37-37, 3 times). Miller was deducted 2 points for pushing.

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 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 uninamous decision with the judges scoring in his favor 60-54, 59-55 (twice). 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, 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.

Moving 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 Tyson Fury and 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 stopped the over-matched Guivas in a 2nd-round knockout. 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 Klitschko, Fury, Joshua and Wilder.

Miller vs. Kassi

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."

Promotional changes

In September 2016, Miller accused his promoter of breaching their contract, although nothing was enclosed, rumours surfaced it had to do with 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, repeating he would fight him anywhere. Known for being nearly 300 pounds on recent fight nights, Miller's manager Steve Nelson, stated he would weigh less for bigger fights and can control his weight.

Miller vs. Washington

On June 27, 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, 2017 in a 10 round bout. Miller weighed in a career high 298.8 pounds and 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 trash-talking to 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.

By the end of the fight, both fighters looked tired. Washington suffered his second consecutive stoppage loss and Miller fought for the first time in 11 months. Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports general manager praised Miller and said he could soon feature on 'Showtime Championship Boxing' soon. 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 had a $70,000 purse for the win, while Washington earned $50,000.

Kickboxing career

His break-out performances as a kickboxer came while representing the New Jersey Tigers in the World Combat League in the 2007-08 season. On May 3, 2008, he defeated K-1 veteran Pat Barry at the WCL Eastern & Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, the biggest feat of his career at that point.

Following the WCL's demise, Miller went on to rack up a 19-0 (8 KOs) record on New York's heavyweight Muay Thai scene while also turning professional as a boxer.

His exploits won him admirers, and in 2012, he was recruited by K-1, historically the world's premier kickboxing organization.

In his promotional debut, he went up against mixed martial arts knockout artist Jack May at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Los Angeles on September 8, 2012 with a place at the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix at stake.

Miller was able to knock May out with an uppercut in the first round to advance to the K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 in Tokyo Final 16 on October 14, 2012 where he was drawn against Arnold Oborotov.

Although Oborotov caused some problems with his low kicks, Miller was able to dominate with his superior boxing ability. He cruised to a unanimous decision win after sending the Lithuanian to the canvas in round one.

At the K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Final on March 15, 2013 in Zagreb, Croatia, he battled Mirko Cro Cop in the quarter-finals. The panel of judges scored the bout for Cro Cop by unanimous decision, handing Miller his first professional loss and sending him out of the tournament.

He signed with SUPERKOMBAT in August 2013. Replacing Sergei Kharitonov who withdrew from the fight due to a finger injury, Miller rematched Mirko Cro Cop at Glory 17: Los Angeles in Inglewood, California on June 21, 2014. He lost by unanimous decision.

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Boxing