Barry McGuigan believes Jarrell Miller’s big-time heavyweight boxing return against Daniel Dubois should not be going ahead.
Miller is a divisive figure due to his high-profile failed drug tests ahead of an ill-fated fight with Anthony Joshua in June 2019, and then again before a proposed fight with Jerry Forrest which led him to get banned from boxing for two years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in December 2020.
Since then, the 300lbs heavyweight has had low-key wins against the likes of Lucas Browne, but now returns to the biggest stage when he fights Brit Daniel Dubois on December 23 out in Saudi Arabia alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua, Otto Wallin, Deontay Widler and Joseph Parker.
Dubois is looking to get back to winning ways after his knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk back in August meant he came up short in his first tilt at a world title, having previously lost when stepping up against Joe Joyce.
Miller presents a test for the big-punching Dubois, but former champion McGuigan doesn’t think he should even be in the ring. Speaking to Seconds Out, he was asked if Dubois could answer some questions about where he is at in his career.
“First thing, Jarrell Miller should not be in the ring. He should not be allowed to fight. He has failed so many drug tests. We have made this distinction before – anybody caught doing steroids should be out.”
He then gave his verdict on the fight, stopping short of making a prediction but warning Dubois – who was formerly trained by McGuigan’s son, Shane – of the dangers.
“It’s a tough fight for Daniel. He lost to Usyk. He was stopped, it was humiliating. People think he gave in too easy, so it’s not an easy fight.”
It’s fair to say that many believe Dubois has a lot to prove and a difficult opponent against which to do so.