Ibeh (16-2, 14 KOs) has done a commendable job building his record in recent years after first breaking through in boxing following a football career.

Ibeh turned pro in 2019 and by the following year in his seventh professional bout he was fighting to a majority draw against Guido Vianello. In the fight after that, Ibeh bit off more than he could chew against Jared Anderson and was knocked out in six rounds in 2021.

But the 6-foot-4, 32-year-old Nigerian now based in Arizona has scored 11 consecutive wins ever since to get another shot at a different “Big Baby” in Miller.

“I lost the fight with Anderson before I went into the ring,” said Ibeh. “I was inexperienced, especially compared to his background. I was in pursuit of greatness. I lost because I didn’t give myself time to grow. I learned that boxing is more mental than physical.

“What I’ve improved the most on is the angles. I don’t want my opponents to see my punches coming. Now, I understand the game. It’s not all physical and more like a chess match. I’m also more confident because I know what to do. I even like getting hit, going to toe-to-toe, because blood gets me going. It gets me excited, even if it’s my own.”

Ibeh’s aura developed to such a level last year that he was calling out Anthony Joshua for a fight in Africa after the former two-time heavyweight champion expressed interest in a homecoming event.

“When a fighter takes a tough fight like Kingsley did against Jared Anderson and loses, you get punished into a long rebuild,” said Toro Promotions matchmaker Whit Haydon, who’s guided Ibeh toward a revival.

“Ibeh was relatively new to boxing [when he fought Anderson]. He was a football player. It took five long years for him to get here, and Ibeh’s plan is to leave the Big Apple as a star.”

Ibeh last fought in September to headline a Toro Promotions show in El Salvador and stopped faded contender Gerald Washington in three rounds. With maintained momentum, “The Black Lion” Ibeh now plans on pouncing on Miller.

“Miller was fighting top-level opponents when I first started boxing and now he’s my opponent,” said Ibeh. “Amazing – idols are now rivals. We’re both big, tough and strong. But it’s not the size of the dog, what matters is the fight in the dog.

“I believe I will stop him. I’ve been preparing to fight the best version of Miller and expect he’ll come in at his best. I want to throw and take punches, keep fighting physically, and come forward. I expect to be booed when I walk to the ring. He lives there.”

Miller (26-1-2, 22 KOs), meanwhile, is looking to land his first win in nearly three years at Ibeh’s account. The 37-year-old Brooklynite hasn’t fought since settling for a majority draw against Andy Ruiz Jr. in August 2024. In the fight before, Miller was stopped by Daniel Dubois in December 2023.

Miller recently filed a claim that he wasn’t going to allow Ibeh, who moonlights as an insurance salesman, to beat him.

“If not for my insurance company, I wouldn’t have the freedom and option to work on my own schedule,” countered Ibeh. “I worked as a personal trainer and at a topless bar in Phoenix. If I were still a bouncer, I’d be working [odd hours], seven days a week with no option to enjoy time in the gym. It was a struggle, but now, I am taking time off for training camp.

“I’m grateful and blessed to fight on this stage. It will be career-changing for me, more of a lifestyle change from getting more exposure. I’ll get more fans because more people will hear my story and I’ll go up to the next level. I can have an impact.”

“The Ring 6” is available via pay-per-view for $69.99 in the United States and £24.99 in the United Kingdom. It is included for subscribers to DAZN’s Ultimate plan ($44.99 per month in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.