Anthony Joshua next opponent revealed as Jarrell Miller in August if he beats Joseph Parker in unification showdown
Watford's WBA and IBF king could make his US debut in August if Deontay Wilder prices himself out of a fight
ANTHONY JOSHUA will drop Deontay Wilder from his hit list if his giant financial demands keep him living on “Fantasy Island”, says promoter Eddie Hearn.
The American WBC champ is not a big ticket seller – unlike the WBA and IBF king who sold out 160,000 in his last two fights.
But he is demanding around a 50/50 of any unification fight they manage to agree – which Matchroom kingpin Eddie Hearn can’t help mocking.
Talks has instead turned to a New York fight against local Jarrell Miller, 29, once AJ gets done with WBO boss Joseph Parker on March 31.
Hean said: “While Deontay Wilder continues to live at a street address on ‘Fantasy Island,’ this [Joshua-Miller] is the fight that we will look to make in August.
“And I’m already in talks with [the Barclays Center’s] Brett Yormark, that all being well on March 31st, New York is the venue for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. If that’s not against Deontay Wilder, Jarrell Miller will be the guy.
“That’s the plan. And again, we have to win on March 31st. And AJ’s not even thinking about August.
“It’s not like we’re overlooking Parker. It’s my job to plan the future, and the future is a fight in America in 2018.”
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Who is Jarrell Miller?
- Jarrell Miller has the less that fearsome nickname of ‘Big Baby’
- The 29-year-old has 20 wins and 1 draw on his pro boxing record.
- Miller has won his last nine fights inside the distance.
- The Brooklyn fighter is ranked the No3 heavyweight in America and No9 in the world.
- Miller began his fight career as a kickboxer and won 21 of his 23 pro fights, his last in 2014.
Miller faces France’s Johann Duhaupas, before any battle with the Watford golden boy can be agreed.
But Hearn hopes a title shot and hometown show will be enough to inspire the heavyweight nicknamed ‘Big Baby’.