Eddie Hearn lifts lid on confrontation with Jarrell Miller at Anthony Joshua press conference

The pair were seen getting into a heated conversation at the press conference for ‘Day of Reckoning’

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Monday 04 December 2023 15:53 GMT
Comments
Devin Haney and Regis Prograis engage in heated face-off

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Eddie Hearn has revealed what was said during his confrontation with Jarrell Miller in November, when the promoter and the American heavyweight were seen getting into a heated conversation at a press conference.

On 23 December, Hearn’s marquee fighter Anthony Joshua will box Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia, on the same fight card that pits Miller against Daniel Dubois. Last month, all four heavyweights were present at a press conference for the event – labelled ‘Day of Reckoning’ – and Joshua and Miller traded barbs, four years on from their own ill-fated clash.

Joshua vs Miller fell through in 2019, when the latter tested positive for numerous banned substances, leading “AJ” to box Andy Ruiz Jr in June of that year. Joshua suffered a shock TKO in that fight, but the Briton avenged the loss with a decision win six months later.

And while Joshua, 34, and Miller, 35, had their own back-and-forth at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ press conference, Hearn also traded words with Miller.

Speaking to Seconds Out on Sunday (3 December), Hearn claimed: “Miller came up to me and he said, ‘Oh, you’re scared now.’ I went: ‘I ain’t f***ing scared of you. I know what you did.’

“‘He went, ‘Why didn’t you back me like you backed Conor Benn?’ I said: ‘Because I don’t believe you.’

“And he said, ‘Well next time when you’re in New York, I’ll have someone pull up on you,’ and I said: ‘Go f*** yourself.’’

Hearn, right, with former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua
Hearn, right, with former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (PA Wire)

Miller was referring to Hearn’s allegiance to Conor Benn, whose two failed drug tests in 2022 saw the welterweight stripped of his licence by the British Boxing Board of Control. Benn, 27, has maintained his innocence in the time since, and Hearn has stood by his fighter. Benn returned to the ring in the United States in September, but he is still unable to box in the UK.

Joshua vs Wallin and Miller vs Dubois are just two of numerous big-name fights that will take place at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ event; Deontay Wilder will box Joseph Parker, while Dmitry Bivol is in action against Lyndon Arthur earlier in the evening. The majority of bouts on 23 December are heavyweight contests.

Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in