It’s not often that you see Anthony Joshua riled up but Jarrell Miller’s taunting clearly got to him on Tuesday.
Both Joshua and Miller were in attendance for the launch of DAZN, the new streaming service which has partnered with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing brand, and made it clear that they are not the best of friends.
Joshua was present to promote his upcoming title defence against Alexander Povetkin at Wembley and it was during that pair’s fairly cordial face-off that Miller piped up.
The undefeated American heavyweight began roaring abuse in Joshua’s direction before the Brit approached Miller in an exchange which had to be broken up by Hearn.
“People talk about me, then see me face to face, and they still want to talk,” Joshua told Sky Sports News. “I defend my titles in the ring, I’m dedicated, and I just won’t tolerate it outside the ring either. I defend my position. That’s what we do as fighters.
“Anyone is welcome to come and get the smoke. Firstly I will focus on Povetkin but you never know what the future holds.
“There is always someone clucking around my feet. I have to kick them back down, and keep them humble.”
‘Big Baby’ Miller was clearly the more irate of the two but Joshua was visibly irritated about the disrespect being shown to him.
FACE OFF: @anthonyfjoshua and Alexander Povetkin have gone head to head for the first time ahead of their fight at @wembleystadium on the 22nd of September exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office. #JoshuaPovetkin https://t.co/MBjOqWKwAR
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) July 17, 2018
Both ‘AJ’ and Miller have fights scheduled for this autumn and Hearn has previously identified the outspoken New Yorker as a potential opponent for Joshua in the United States.
“I walked up on him, and whispered behind him: ‘you’re a punk, let’s make it happen’,” Miller explained to Sky Sports.
“I’m not Dominic Breazeale, man. I want it. I would whoop him at Wembley.
“Listen Britain – you’ve seen fake models. You’ll see the real model, the people’s champ, not the one-time English champ. The world champ – that’s me.”
