Coming off two wins in a row for the first time since 2019, Deontay Wilder is in the market for another big fight.
Wilder scored a rare points victory over Derek Chisora in Manchester last month, keeping a career alive that many felt had ended following back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
With the confidence boost, ‘The Bronze Bomber’, 40, has said he will make a push to become a two-time world champion before he hangs up the gloves for good.
A shot against unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, though it was discussed, is unlikely due to the Ukrainian’s list of mandatory challengers. Wilder is instead best placed to get himself a good ranking and look to pick up a vacant belt should the opportunity present itself in the next 18 months.
One man who is willing to risk his number 2 ranking with the WBA is fellow American Jarrell Miller. The controversial heavyweight known as ‘Big Baby’ told Play UK he is still chasing the fight after years of trying.
“Anybody that’s willing to get in there and throw hands has something in the tank. He’s still dangerous regardless. But I’ve been asking him to fight for years, so if he’s got old overnight, that’s his problem. I’m still going to punch him in the face.”
Miller went on to say that he was not overly impressed by Wilder’s recent showing in the UK, but says the win keeps their potential rivalry alive.
“I don’t think Chisora was the same Chisora that fought Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin. Sometimes fighters get old overnight. Maybe he wasn’t as motivated for this one like he usually was. I don’t know.
“I did expect a little more from Chisora in that fight, but it is what it is. Wilder got the win, so it’s better for me now. I’m going to try to make a big American clash and we duke it out.”
Miller, 37, failed to impress in his January comeback fight against Kingsley Ibeh. He won, but his hairpiece coming off mid-fight made the headlines rather than the performance. The Brooklyn native returned against undefeated Lenier Pero in April and looked better, winning a unanimous decision over 12 rounds.
Having become infamous for failing doping tests before a cancelled fight with Joshua, ‘Big Baby’ represents a big name in the division. With Wilder’s highlight reel of knockouts and both men’s ability to sell a fight, the clash would indeed be big in America.
