Bob Arum talks Lomachenko-Lopez, Joshua-Pulev, Jarrell Miller, more

Promoter Bob Arum on a Tuesday hit on the Everlast TALKBOX podcast said that Jarrell Miller will indeed be on a Top Rank show, and “everything is done now” in chopping up promotional rights with Dmitriy Salita and Greg Cohen.

“We want to give him the highest visibility for his first fight,” said Arum, when asked when and where “Big Baby” would debut for Top Rank. Maybe Miller treks to China and joins the Jose Ramirez-topped card on Feb. 1? Or maybe he’s slotted underneath Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas? Arum wouldn’t tip his hand.

The deal-maker also shared that the Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez fight will happen, he has to iron out some deets with Lopez’ manager David McWater.

“We’re pretty well there, and now we have to select an appropriate date, and figure out how it’s going to be presented, and from where. We’ve had a lot of interest from overseas locations, a lot of interest from Madison Square Garden. It’s a big fight, and we’re going to make sure it gets the maximum visibility.”

Lopez Tweeted that if the money is right, he doesn’t care where the fight takes place, really:

Top Rank travels to China, and junior welterweight titlist Jose Ramirez tops a card there next Saturday, taking on Viktor Postol. The arena in Haikou is now being set up inside a movie studio, he told us. “They’re transforming it as we speak,” Arum said.

More traveling, as at the end of March, IBF/WBC 175 champ Artur Beterbiev will do battle in Quebec. ESPN will announce that shortly, Beterbiev scrapping against the IBF No. 1 at 175, Meng Fanlong.

Arum also said that he’s talked with Eddie Hearn about matching his heavyweight Kubrat Pulev, who is co-promoted by Ivaylo Gotzev, with Anthony Joshua.

“Eddie’s exploring certain aspects, and will be back to us this week,” he stated. “But forget about Joshua giving up any titles, he’s not giving up any titles.”

More on that beefy Top Rank roster. What about 40-0 Zurdo Ramirez? He hasn’t fought since April 2019, and Arum allowed there have been “some difficulties” with the ex-super middle champ. He alluded to “Zurdo” being affiliated with a new advisor or the like. That situation will have to be ironed out, he stated.

Hear more from Arum right here.