Jarrell Miller Bound For Ghana, Miller Meets Olympic Gold
Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is headed to Ghana for a heavyweight showdown with Tony Yoka, the 2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist. The fight is set for December 20 at The Grand Arena in Accra, and it gives both men a chance to make a statement before the year is out.
Checking the boxing schedule tonight for the next major heavyweight clash? Put this one on your radar. Miller is looking to turn a No. 1 ranking into a bigger opportunity, while Yoka aims to build momentum after a bumpy stretch. Here’s what you need to know about the matchup, the Ghanaian undercard, and the fresh talk connecting Miller to rising heavyweight Moses Itauma.
The announcement: Miller vs. Yoka lands in Accra
Matchroom Boxing has confirmed that Miller and Yoka will meet on Sunday, December 20, at The Grand Arena inside the Accra International Conference Centre. The fight will be shown worldwide on DAZN.
Matchroom Boxing and Legacy Rise Sports are promoting the event in association with BXG and Queensberry Promotions. It will be Matchroom’s second show in Ghana, with a heavyweight main event and a supporting card featuring local talent and international names.
Miller is the No. 1-ranked contender in the WBA heavyweight rankings, behind full champion Murat Gassiev. Yoka brings Olympic gold and experience against established heavyweights. It’s a compelling clash of paths: Miller is pursuing a major title opportunity, while Yoka is trying to turn a recent return to the ring into renewed momentum. Who leaves Accra with the louder claim to a bigger fight?
Miller’s road to Accra: two wins and a major test
The Brooklyn heavyweight enters with a reported record of 28-1-2, including 22 knockouts according to ESPN. Miller has fought twice in 2026. He earned a split-decision win over Kingsley Ibeh, then followed it with a unanimous decision over Lenier Pero in April. Their bout was described as a toe-to-toe slugfest, and the victory helped Miller climb to No. 1 in the WBA contender rankings.
Now he faces a former Olympic champion. A win over Yoka would add a notable name to Miller’s record and strengthen his position as he pursues a major heavyweight opportunity. Can “Big Baby” turn the Accra spotlight into the springboard for an even bigger 2027?
Miller was previously scheduled to challenge Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight crown in 2019, before a failed drugs test removed him from the bout. He has also lost to Daniel Dubois and drawn with Andy Ruiz Jr. Those are part of Miller’s record and story, but the immediate challenge is Yoka, a former Olympic champion who has his own reasons to make this night count.
Jarrell Miller flexing in mirrored sunglasses and a chain at a Matchroom welcome event in Accra. Credit: Matchroom via Boxing News.
Yoka’s road: Olympic gold, setbacks, and a return
Yoka, 34, won super heavyweight gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He started his professional career with 11 straight wins, then suffered three consecutive defeats. He responded with five straight victories, but his momentum was interrupted again.
A planned fight with Lawrence Okolie was cancelled in April after the British boxer returned a positive drug test. In July, Yoka withdrew from a WBA “regular” title clash with Gassiev because of a back injury.
Yoka returned over the weekend after nearly a year of inactivity, earning a six-round points win against Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko. He has also boxed Martin Bakole, Carlos Takam, and Dave Allen. And he has fought in Africa before, stopping Patrick Korte in one round in Nigeria.
The Miller bout is a new test for Yoka as he looks to build on his recent return. Can the Olympic champion keep the momentum going against a WBA No. 1 contender? Miller will be aiming to make the fight physical and press his ranking advantage. Yoka will need to bring the timing and composure that carried him to Olympic gold.
Hearn says it will be an “absolute war”
Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn sees Miller-Yoka as a serious heavyweight contest with implications beyond one night.
“What a way to end the year. This is a serious fight and one that will cap an incredible month of Heavyweight boxing,” Hearn said.
He added: “Jarrell Miller is ranked No.1 in the world, and a win over a tough, former Olympic Champion in Tony Yoka will undoubtedly set him up for some major nights ahead in 2027. It will be an absolute war.”
The wider heavyweight calendar is packed. Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is scheduled for December 11 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, live on Netflix. Devin Haney vs. Liam Paro is set for December 19 in San Francisco, one day before Miller and Yoka meet in Ghana. Jake Paul vs. Cedric Doumbe is scheduled for December 24 in Dubai.
That is a busy run of dates for fight fans. Miller and Yoka have their own stage in Accra, with the chance to deliver a standout heavyweight clash just before the year closes. Will this be the fight that puts one of them in position for a bigger 2027?
Ghana’s undercard puts local fighters in the spotlight
The supporting card features several Ghanaian fighters. Light heavyweights Jonathan Tetteh, listed at 12-0 with 11 knockouts, and Elvis Ahorgah, listed at 15-4 with 13 knockouts, are set to meet.
Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Samuel Takyi is scheduled to compete at lightweight. He is listed at 9-0, with all nine wins by knockout. Super flyweight Theo Allotey, listed at 15-0 with 11 knockouts, is also set to appear.
Liverpool super welterweight Odel Kamara is due to make his second professional appearance after a third-round stoppage win on debut. His mother is Ghanaian. Cruiserweight Divine Omojor is set to return after winning his professional debut by knockout in Sheffield.
Dutch lightweight Jursly Vargas, listed at 10-0 with nine knockouts, is returning to Accra after stopping Isaac Dowuona there in April.
Legacy Rise Sports CEO Sharaf Mahama pointed to Ghana’s boxing history, including Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, and D.K. Poison, when discussing the event. “We look forward to putting together another blockbuster on DAZN alongside our partners at Matchroom Boxing and BXG and giving Ghanaian, and worldwide, fans a night to remember,” Mahama said.
There’s a heavyweight headline, but the undercard has its own stories to follow. Ghana’s fighters will have a home crowd behind them, and the international lineup gives fans plenty to watch before the main event.
Bellew’s suggestion puts Miller in the Itauma conversation
Miller’s name has also surfaced in discussion about Moses Itauma’s return. Former world champion Tony Bellew suggested Miller as a potential comeback opponent for the 21-year-old heavyweight, who is expected to return in January.
Itauma suffered the first defeat of his career on August 29, when Filip Hrgovic stopped him in the ninth round of their vacant IBF title fight. Itauma dominated early and scored a knockdown, but tired before the stoppage.
Bellew argued that Itauma would benefit from rounds. “Do you know what would be a good comeback fight for Moses? Jarrell Miller. The worst thing you can do is throw that kid in, and it is over in a round.”
He continued: “The boy needs rounds, and the best way to get him rounds is against Jarrell Miller. Jarrell Miller is not a puncher; he has never been a puncher. He is the heaviest punchbag I have ever seen in my life.”
That’s Bellew’s opinion, not a confirmed booking. Itauma’s promoter, Frank Warren, has said the opponent will be announced within a couple of weeks, with a target of at least three fights for Itauma in 2027. For now, Miller’s confirmed assignment is Yoka in Ghana. But if Itauma’s team wants a comeback opponent who can test him over rounds, Bellew has made his pitch.
Miller’s “Big Baby” talk, revisited
Miller has long been outspoken. In a 2023 interview, he took aim at heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson, who had used the nickname “The Real Big Baby.”
“I think it’s cute, but anybody that has to call themself ‘The Real Big Baby,’ that should tell all they got to say. That’s corny as hell,” Miller said. “Everybody knows I’m the original Big Baby and there’s only one Big Baby.”
Miller also said he would fight Anderson if the opportunity came together. Those comments are from 2023, but they capture the confident, confrontational personality fans know. Now the focus turns to Yoka, Accra, and a chance to make his next statement where it counts: in the ring.
For a live boxing stream, bare knuckle live action, or a live fight stream across combat sports, explore FIGHT.TV. Get comprehensive global coverage of boxing, MMA, and bare knuckle for only $19.95 a year, about $2 a month. Check the upcoming events and find your next fight night.