Kingsley Ibeh (15-2-1, 13 KOs) fights Jarrell Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs) on January 31. The heavyweight fight lands on the undercard of the Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson title fight at Madison Square Garden. Ibeh is a Nigeria-born former football player operating out of Phoenix. He rides an 11-fight win streak into New York City. Miller represents the first serious threat to that momentum since 2021. This is a significant step up in class.
The sanctioning bodies play favorites. Jared Anderson holds the No. 5 spot in the IBF rankings. Guido Vianello sits at No. 8. Ibeh fought both of them five years ago when he was still learning to wrap his hands. He lost to Anderson by knockout and drew with Vianello. The WBC currently ranks Ibeh at No. 30 despite his run of knockouts. Politics dictate the ladder. Ibeh has to win inside the ring to force the issue.
Blocking sleds and heavy bags
Ibeh played defensive line at Washington University and in the CFL. The football background shows in his mechanics. He generates power from a wide base. This mimics the leverage needed to move an offensive tackle. Boxing requires different kinetic chains. Rigid power creates openings for fluid boxers.
Ibeh admits he was too green when he fought Anderson. “I lost the fight with Anderson before I went into the ring,” Ibeh said. “I was inexperienced… I lost because I didn’t give myself time to grow.” He claims to understand angles now. We will see if he can pivot off his lead foot when fatigued. Miller does not offer complex looks. He offers pressure. Ibeh must use lateral movement to escape the ropes. Standing directly in front of Miller allows the heavier man to lean on him. That weight wears down the legs by the sixth round.
The danger of the pocket
Ibeh sounds too willing to trade. “I even like getting hit, going to toe-to-toe, because blood gets me going,” he said. This is a mistake. Trading punches with Miller is bad strategy. The noise of heavyweights trading on the inside is distinct. It is a dull thud against the ribcage. Miller absorbs punishment well. He relies on volume to drown opponents.
Ibeh needs to control range. He must use a stiff jab to disrupt Miller’s rhythm. Think of how Lennox Lewis used his long lead hand to keep brawlers at bay. Ibeh has the reach. He needs the discipline. Matchmaker Whit Haydon notes that Ibeh suffered through a “long rebuild” after taking tough fights early. That rebuild ends on January 31. If Ibeh stays on the outside he wins on points. If he fights like a lineman he gets knocked out.
Date: January 31, 2026 Start Time: 6:00 PM EST (11:00 PM GMT) Streaming Platform: DAZN Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City Fight Card: Lopez vs. Stevenson, Ibeh vs. Miller
‘I like getting hit’ is the dumbest thing I ever heard from a boxer 😂 You supposed to avoid getting hit not run into it! That mindset gonna lose him the fight.
For real man… this ain’t street fighting where tough guy wins. It’s about skills and strategy, not who bleeds more!
Ibeh think his football background means something in boxing but it don’t 🥴 Different sport, different game. You can’t tackle punches bro! He gonna find out fast when Miller starts leaning on him.
These rankings make no sense! How is Jared Anderson number 5 and Ibeh at 30 when he knockin dudes out left and right? Politics mess everything up in boxing, always has 🙄
Yup they pick favorites all the time. You win fights but if you ain’t with the right people, they keep you down. Not fair at all.
‘Cause Anderson got hype and media behind him while Ibeh grinding quiet. Boxing’s full of fake rankings man 💩
I don’t get why folks act like Miller ain’t dangerous. Just cause he lost once don’t mean he ain’t got power. Ibeh better stop thinking he’s some kinda warrior hero or he’s gonna end up on the mat 😤
Exactly bro, Miller a tank. Ibeh talkin about liking to get hit? That’s just dumb. He ain’t ready for a real slugfest, he gonna learn the hard way 💥
Man said blood gets him goin… that’s not boxing smarts, that’s just being reckless 🤦♂️. He needs a brain not just muscles.