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Epic Sports & Entertainment, who pulled a surprise and won a previous purse bid for the scrapped Kubrat Pulev-Dillian Whyte IBF eliminator, has done it again, winning the bid for the Pulev-Jarrell Miller eliminator.
Like last time, this doesn’t mean this fight is actually going to happen. ESPN reports that Epic still has designs on putting the fight in Pulev’s native Bulgaria, which could lead to Miller turning down the fight and the 25% of the $2 million-plus bid that Epic put down.
Pulev (25-1, 13 KO) has won five straight since a 2014 loss to Wladimir Klitschko, his only world title shot to date. The 37-year-old’s only really notable win in that run came over Dereck Chisora in 2016, as he’s beaten a bunch of faded veterans otherwise.
Miller (21-0-1, 18 KO) is a 29-year-old American on the rise in the division, but with concerns about his weight as he gets to the higher level. He most recently fought on April 28, beating former world title challenger Johann Duhaupas by decision.
The IBF heavyweight title is currently held by Anthony Joshua, who also has the WBA and WBO belts. He’s negotiating for a full unification with WBC heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder, and also has a WBA mandatory with Alexander Povetkin due if that fight doesn’t come off.