To borrow from The Smiths, who famously sang about the differences between girls, we must acknowledge that in the world of boxing, some drug cheats are more significant than others. Moreover, the journey to redemption for these individuals varies in length. Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller serves as a prime example of this notion. As a heavyweight boxer, Miller has faced the brunt of fans’ collective anger in recent years, becoming a sacrificial figure while others guilty of similar offenses were spared. This may be due to Miller’s lack of fame and wealth at the time of his failed performance-enhancing drug test. Alternatively, it could be attributed to Miller embodying the exact image of a drug cheat that fans love to despise. Unlike others with ambiguous situations, Miller had no excuses or legs to stand on. He was undeniably guilty and received widespread denigration from fans expressing their outrage.
The fact that this outrage seemed reserved for Miller, while other higher-profile heavyweights who tested positive for drugs went relatively unscathed, speaks volumes about Miller’s value in the eyes of the boxing industry. In an ideal and fair world, the indignation stemming from Miller’s failed test in 2019 would be shared equally among all the fighters who violate anti-doping regulations. However, that is not the case.
This is not to say that Miller deserves leniency or sympathy. It is clear that his biggest transgressions were driven by greed and stupidity. He became too consumed with building his career and made the foolish mistake of getting caught, while many others have managed to evade detection. Ultimately, Miller is not much different from his counterparts, albeit slightly more focused on personal gain and less conscientious.
Despite his stained reputation, Miller remains undefeated in his comeback, with three fights under his belt. He continues to search for opportunities to fight for a title or secure lucrative matches. Recently, he emerged as an unexpected potential opponent for former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, creating a sense of full-circle redemption from the fight that was canceled due to Miller’s failed test in 2019.
Miller’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, expressed enthusiasm for the potential Joshua rematch, highlighting the genuine rivalry between the two fighters. Salita believes that Miller’s marketability remains strong, as evidenced by the continued interest from fans and reporters. He also acknowledges that Miller is still paying the price for his past actions, as some individuals in positions of power seem unwilling to provide him with opportunities.
Salita’s stance is clear: if a boxer serves their suspension and is cleared to fight again, they should be allowed to pursue every possible opportunity. He argues that it does not make sense for Joshua’s team to dismiss a fight with Miller solely based on his past drug-cheating incident, considering the time that has passed since then.
As difficult as it may be, boxing as a sport must learn to accept boxers back into the fold after they have served their bans for failed drug tests. Whether fans can forgive them or support them again is an individual choice. However, once cleared to fight, these boxers should be afforded the chance to prove their redemption and seek forgiveness, even from those closest to them.
Salita’s personal connection to Miller and belief in his talent and remorsefulness underline his commitment to seeing the boxer succeed. He acknowledges that mistakes happen and hopes that everyone involved can learn from them and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. Ultimately, Salita and Miller share a collective goal of pushing forward and overcoming the hurdles that lie ahead.
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