Joshua can’t hide his bitter disappointment at Miller bout as he blames ‘politics’ for not fighting Fury or Wilder
AJ revealed on Twitter what many knew or had predicted for weeks - he will make his stateside debut in New York against Jarrell Miller on June 1
ANTHONY JOSHUA told fans “boxing politics” prevented an undisputed heavyweight title showdown between Deontay Wilder taking place as he struggled to hide his disappointment.
Joshua revealed on Twitter what many knew or predicted for weeks - he will make his stateside debut in New York against Jarrell Miller on June 1.
The 29-year-old will defend his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles at Madison Square Garden against unbeaten Brooklyner Miller.
Promoter Eddie Hearn had warned fans his offers to Wilder, Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte to fight Joshua on April 13 date at Wembley Stadium had all been snubbed.
Hearn revealed with his offers all rebuffed, AJ had only Miller to turn to - as Joshua told his fans on Twitter he favoured a showdown with WBC king Wilder but “politics” prevented this.
The news he would be fighting Miller was broken by Joshua in a video on Twitter in which he couldn't even raise a smile.
The unenthusiastic heavyweight king said: “I’m going to be travelling over to New York on June the 1st, I will be defending my heavyweight championship titles at MSG, aka Madison Square Garden, against a fighter named Jarrell Miller aka Big Baby Miller.
“It’s going to be live on DAZN, it’s going to be live on Sky Sports.
“You know the current state of the heavyweight division right now - it’s full of boxing politics, but you know how it goes, I’ve just gotta roll with the punches.
“I would have loved to fight at Wembley Stadium and brought you guys the undisputed championship of the world.
“But I’m looking forward to the new challenge. It’s 2019, I asked for new challenges and this is one that’s presented itself.”
Most Read in Boxing
Fans were left outraged with the announcement, but with Fury and Wilder set to rematch in May, the only criticism the promoter can face is not offering Whyte what the Brixton banger deemed a suitable offer.
As Joshua prepares to make his Stateside debut, he also performs in front of new sports streaming service DAZN for the second time.
Underdog Miller warned Joshua and UK fight fans that this bout is a “huge mistake” on the unified heavyweight champions part.
Miller said: “AJ is making a huge mistake coming over here to fight me in my own backyard.
“He wants to announce himself on the American stage but all he’s doing is delivering me those belts by hand.
“It’s dog eat dog in the ring and this dog has got a bigger bite, he'll be leaving New York empty-handed.
“This is the fight that I’ve been chasing all my life and on June 1 I’m going to achieve the thing I was born to do and win the heavyweight championship of the world.
“That punk AJ is standing in the way of my dreams and on June 1 he’s getting run the hell over.”