Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, Anthony Joshua’s next opponent, has described the heavyweight champion as “money greedy and a privileged spoilt brat”, claiming that their June 1 showdown at Madison Square Garden would be “a rude awakening” for the undefeated Briton.
Joshua, holder of the WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight belts will make his United States debut in Manhattan, in a contest bringing together two unbeaten heavyweights, the fight to be aired on streaming service DAZN in America.
“He’s a privileged spoiled brat and I’m from the grit of the street, I was born for this,” Miller told Telegraph Sport. “Everything I’ve got, I’ve earned. Nothing has been given to me like it was for him in the Olympics. Like I said before, he’s fighting a different animal.I’m 300 pounds of lean, mean, fighting machine. It’s Big Baby versus ‘G-String’ Joshua. He’ll get his knickers in a twist when I go at him.
“He’s definitely underestimating me a bit, because I wasn’t his first choice to fight. He didn’t want to come over with the money to fight me, but the [DAZN] network and (promoter) Eddie Hearn made it happen.
“He was kind of shocked by it. He’s never been in with nobody like me before. It’s hard to find sparring partners for me. A 300-pound guy that uses his body and throws as many punches as I do. It’s going to be impossible. When it comes to June 1, it’ll be a rude awakening.”
He added: “One thing about AJ is he’s a greedy guy. He’s all about money first and he doesn’t like to share. Even though Dillian Whyte wanted £5million, he said he could have four.
“But then Dillian Whyte said if he became the champion, he’d get a 60-40 split. AJ said no, even if he loses he’s still getting a 60-40 split. That’s outrageous. That’s what’s happened. These guys, you’ve got to knock them off their pedestal.
“My deal’s a little different to what Dillian Whyte was getting. It’s not 100 per cent the best on the table. But it’s better than what Dillian Whyte was getting. My managers know the game. I’m undefeated and I’ve American territory, which is what they wanted, so I’ve got a bigger sell for a global show.”