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Luis Ortiz and Jarrell Miller in talks for pring showdown

The two have 39 combined knockouts in their 45 wins.

Two big-punching heavyweights on very different career trajectories may lock horns in the coming months, as top-5 contender Luis Ortiz and prospect Jarrell Miller have begun negotiations for a fight in the coming months. Should it be made, the fight will likely land on April 22nd or May 20th at the Barclays Center.

Their respective managers, Eddie Hearn and Steve Nelson, have voiced their support for the matchup, which could wind up on either HBO or Showtime depending on how the bidding goes.

Ortiz (27-0, 23 KO) has been treading water since thrashing Bryant Jennings on December of 2015. Promotional issues and multiple aborted matchups with Alexander Ustinov have seen him bleed momentum and worthless fights with Malik Scott and Dave Allen have done nothing to stem the tide. "Big Baby" would make for at least a minor course correction.

A former kickboxer whom you may recall from his pair of bouts with Mirko "Cro Cop," Miller (18-0-1, 16 KO) has emerged as a quality prospect at the age of 28. His last fight saw him overpower Fred Kassi for a third-round stoppage, his seventh consecutive finish.

Miller’s got power, a great chin, and surprising cardio for a man who regularly weighs in around 280 pounds. I fully expect Ortiz to pick him apart, but "King Kong" will have to work for it. Plus, he’s not getting any younger.

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