Jarrell Miller Threatens to End Anthony Joshua’s Career: Will the Fateful Fight Happen in 2025?

The heavyweight division has never lacked drama, but few rivalries have been as bitter and unresolved as the long-standing tension between Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller and Anthony Joshua. After years of false starts, canceled bouts, and public insults, the fire has been reignited. In a series of explosive interviews, Miller has once again targeted Joshua, threatening not just to defeat him—but to end his career. With murmurs of a potential 2025 showdown, fans are asking the inevitable: will this long-anticipated grudge match finally happen?

Jarrell Miller’s renewed warning: “I’m going to retire him”

Jarrell Miller has never been one to mince words. The brash and outspoken American heavyweight recently made headlines by declaring that he intends to “retire Anthony Joshua from boxing permanently.” His remarks came during a heated podcast appearance where Miller spoke passionately about unfinished business and years of built-up resentment. According to Miller, Joshua represents “everything wrong” with modern boxing—privileged, manufactured, and protected by promoters.

“I’m coming for Joshua, and this time, nothing is stopping it,” Miller said. “He ducked me once, but 2025 is my year. I’m going to break him—mentally, physically, and spiritually. This isn’t just a fight, it’s a reckoning.”

These words echo the infamous lead-up to their canceled 2019 bout, which was scrapped after Miller tested positive for multiple banned substances. That event not only derailed Miller’s rise but also painted a target on his back for critics. Now, after years in the shadows, the Brooklyn native is back and more determined than ever.

Anthony Joshua’s silence and focus on legacy

While Miller rants and calls out his nemesis, Anthony Joshua has remained notably quiet—publicly, at least. Following his impressive 2024 comeback win against Zhilei Zhang, the British former unified champion has been focused on climbing back to the top. He’s made it clear that his goal is to reclaim the heavyweight crown, with names like Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk all previously being in his crosshairs.

But insiders say that Joshua hasn’t ruled out Miller.

“He’s not obsessed with Miller like Miller is with him,” a source close to Joshua’s camp revealed. “But he hasn’t forgotten either. He remembers 2019. He remembers the disrespect. If it makes sense and fits his timeline, he’ll take the fight.”

For Joshua, who has undergone major changes in training and mindset over the last few years, a bout against Miller could be about more than revenge—it could be about closing a painful chapter in his career and silencing one of his loudest critics once and for all.

The 2019 collapse: unfinished business still haunts both men

The saga between Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua was set to reach its climax in June 2019 at Madison Square Garden. It was supposed to be Joshua’s U.S. debut—a chance to conquer the American market. Instead, it turned into a nightmare when Miller failed multiple drug tests just weeks before the fight. The event lost its original flair, and Andy Ruiz Jr. stepped in as a late replacement, stunning the world by knocking Joshua out in one of boxing’s greatest upsets.

The consequences were massive. Joshua’s aura of invincibility vanished. Miller, meanwhile, faced a lengthy suspension, public ridicule, and a damaged reputation. Despite being undefeated, his career flatlined. Sponsors disappeared, opportunities dried up, and boxing’s biggest stages moved on without him.

That context is what makes the 2025 rematch so compelling. For Joshua, it’s about reclaiming a moment stolen from him. For Miller, it’s about redemption and a last shot at greatness.

Can Miller actually threaten Joshua? A breakdown of styles and stats

The question remains: can Jarrell Miller realistically beat Anthony Joshua in 2025? On paper, Joshua has the edge in almost every category—power, pedigree, speed, and ring IQ. But Miller, now 35, brings something different to the table: volume, durability, and relentless pressure.

Miller is known for throwing an unusually high number of punches for a heavyweight. At his best, he walks opponents down with a granite chin and throws upwards of 70 punches per round. That pace overwhelmed lesser opponents during his rise and could trouble a fighter like Joshua, who has occasionally struggled with pressure—most notably against Andy Ruiz in 2019 and Oleksandr Usyk in both of their bouts.

However, critics point out that Miller’s inactivity and age may work against him. Since returning from his suspension, he’s faced lower-tier opposition and hasn’t truly been tested. “Beating journeymen isn’t the same as facing an elite-level guy like Joshua,” boxing analyst Carl Froch recently said. “If Miller thinks he can just walk in and throw 80 punches a round against AJ, he’s in for a rude awakening.”

Promotional interest and market value of Joshua vs. Miller

Despite their history, Joshua vs. Miller has never lost its market appeal. It has everything: bad blood, redemption arcs, and global interest. For promoters like Eddie Hearn, it’s a gold mine waiting to be tapped.

Matchroom Boxing has hinted in recent months that a U.S.-based PPV featuring Joshua could be in the works for early or mid-2025. With Saudi Arabia focusing on unification bouts and blockbuster heavyweight matchups, a grudge match on U.S. soil between Joshua and Miller would offer a lucrative alternative. New York’s MSG or Las Vegas would be obvious host cities.

“It’s a sellable fight. Everyone remembers 2019,” Hearn said in a recent interview. “There’s history. There’s drama. There’s animosity. And both guys have something to prove.”

Miller, for his part, has even claimed to have been approached about preliminary negotiations. While nothing is confirmed, the chatter has intensified since Miller’s recent media appearances.

Fan reactions and public demand growing

Boxing fans, ever hungry for real rivalry, have embraced the idea of a 2025 showdown. On social media, hashtags like #JoshuaMiller and #BigBabyVsAJ have begun trending again. Forums and podcasts are buzzing with fantasy matchups, breakdowns, and predictions.

Some fans believe Joshua would dismantle Miller within six rounds, while others think the Brooklyn brawler’s aggression could cause another upset. Regardless of the predictions, the interest is undeniable.

“We need fights with stories,” boxing YouTuber HatmanStrikesBack said. “Not just titles. Joshua and Miller have real heat, real history, and real stakes. That’s a main event anywhere in the world.”

Roadblocks and possible delays

Still, a few key hurdles stand in the way. Joshua is currently ranked high in several sanctioning bodies and may be next in line for a title shot, especially if belts become fragmented after the Fury vs. Usyk saga concludes. If an opportunity for another title presents itself, Joshua may prioritize legacy over revenge.

Miller’s rankings are another issue. He’s not currently a top-10 contender in any major organization. That could complicate matchmaking unless he takes on and beats a fringe contender or former champion before stepping into the ring with Joshua. Names like Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker, or Daniel Dubois have been floated as possible tune-ups.

Moreover, Miller’s past failed drug tests still cast a long shadow. Any commission approving the fight will demand stringent VADA testing, and Miller will need to be completely clean to avoid further damage to the event.

What a 2025 fight could mean for both legacies

If the fight does happen, its implications will be massive for both men. For Anthony Joshua, beating Miller would tie up a major loose end and solidify his place in boxing history as a fighter who overcame adversity and silenced his loudest critic. It would also boost his standing among fans who want to see him take on personal challenges, not just belt-chasing bouts.

For Jarrell Miller, the stakes are even higher. A win over Joshua would instantly vault him into top-tier contention and wipe away years of reputation damage. It would be a redemption story of epic proportions, the kind boxing thrives on.

But a loss—especially a brutal one—could mark the end of the road. And Miller knows it.

“This is it for me,” he recently told reporters. “I’ve got one big shot left. And I’m putting it all on Joshua’s head.”

Conclusion: Will 2025 finally deliver Joshua vs. Miller?

The ingredients for an unforgettable heavyweight grudge match are all there: personal history, international intrigue, stylistic contrast, and legitimate stakes. With Miller loudly banging the drum and Joshua quietly keeping his options open, the stage is being set for what could be one of boxing’s most emotionally charged fights in years.

If contracts are signed and the fight becomes official, expect fireworks—both in the build-up and in the ring. Until then, fans will continue to ask the question that has lingered for half a decade: Will Anthony Joshua finally face Jarrell Miller, and if so, will it be the end—or the rebirth—of a heavyweight dream?