Topeka, Kansas heavyweight Nick “Two Gunz” Guivas is taking a realistic approach to facing one of the most dangerous up-and-coming heavyweights in the world next weekend. Guivas (12-3-2, 9 KOs) will take on undefeated Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller (16-0-1, 14 KOs) on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.
The two power-punching heavies will meet in the main event of Greg Cohen Promotions’ next installment of “Championship Boxing on CBS Sports Network.” In the 10-round lightweight semi-final bout, red-hot Filipino prospect Harmonito “El Huracan de Gensan” Dela Torre (17-0, 12 KOs) will make his debut on US soil against capable veteran Guillermo Sanchez (15-18-1, 6 KOs) of Buffalo.
“I’m coming there to win, definitely,” said Guivas, “and I know I’m a lot smaller than him, but I think I can move around and stay away from his punches. He’s a very heavy hitter, so I’m going to move and box him and see what the outcome is. I’m going to give this guy everything I’ve got. And I know he’s coming to fight too, so at the end of the fight, may the best man get their hand raised.”
Taking on the red-hot Miller is not a job many heavyweights are hoping to get at the moment, but Guivas says the time is right for a challenge of this magnitude.
“I’m at the part of my career where I need to step up,” he explained. “When they offered me the fight, I was already somewhat in shape, so I said let’s get in better shape and see what we can do. I think at this time I’m ready for it.”
Guivas says he respects Miller’s power, but might have some openings to get a few things done. “Over the years, I’ve gotten smarter in the ring. I know the guy is a heavy puncher and had a really good amateur career. He’s got a good jab, but he doesn’t have super fast hands. I’ve also noticed he tends to wear down in the later rounds, so I have to take him deep and see if I can out-box him.”
A service technician for Coca Cola during the day, Guivas stared boxing and had his first fight at age eight. He ultimately had around 200 amateur fights and was a two-time silver gloves medalist, won the regional Golden Gloves tournament twice and went to the PAL Nationals. He got the nickname “Two Gunz” from promoter Damon Reed.
“My promoter, Damon, is my promoter and a fighter too. He gave me that name because of the size of my arms and because I hit him one time and he said he felt like he’d been shot with a gun.”
Guivas says he’s working hard at the Danger Fire Gym in Topeka, before and after work every day, and doing things a bit different to prepare for Miller.
“I get up early in the morning and get my run in and then in evenings after work I do my boxing and sparring. I end up doing four to five hours a day of training. I have no choice, but to do it like that. In the past, I’ve had one or two sparring partners for a fight, and I would go five or six rounds with that guy. For this fight, we brought in five guys and I get a fresh one every round. And the guys I’m sparring with are guys that are at the next level or getting ready to become top fighters. I’m getting a fresh look from different guys every round.”
A good counterpuncher and a decent boxer, Guivas says a victory next Friday would change everything.
“I think beating Miller would definitely put me to the next level. The guy is top 10. If I can get the win I’d be in the money next time. I don’t fight just for the money though. I love to fight. That’s what I do.”
