Alonzo Butler, at 41, is neither down nor out as a professional boxer.

South Richmonder Cecil Miller, 43, is firmly in Butler’s corner as manager-agent in an attempt to extend the veteran heavyweight’s fortune in the ring.

Joining Miller in assisting Butler’s march down the come- back trail is famous promoter Don King and veteran trainer Yoel Judah.

King, 89, operates Don King Promotions based in Florida. Judah is a veteran trainer out of Brooklyn, N.Y., who condi- tions fighters.

“Legendary names in the sport,” said Miller, a native of North Carolina who moved to Richmond several years ago.

Miller reports he signed a contract with King on Feb. 16. “It’s a partnership,” said Miller.

Miller’s diverse background includes fashion modeling, dancing and music production. He’s a relative newcomer to the fight game.

“I’m the rookie of the year,” Miller said.

Under the umbrella of BYD-Sports, a spinoff of his BYD-Music, Miller has made Butler, aka “Big Zo,” the main focus of his sports management efforts.

Butler, a native Tennessean, essentially retired in 2016 following a win Dec. 3, 2016, over Fred Latham in Jonesboro, Ga. Butler chose not to fight for four years, but was always eager to get back into the ring.

Opportunity came knocking in the form of Miller.

Miller drew national attention to Butler with three episodes of his “Stars & Champions” reality show last winter on The Impact Network.

That’s how Miller connected with King and Judah.

Given a reprieve by Miller, Butler made his return Feb. 1, 2020, with a technical knockout of Jesus Torres in New Mexico. He followed that up Dec. 12, 2020, with a split decision win over Ron Guerrero in Jonesboro.

With the two recent wins, Butler improved his pro mark to 32-3, with 21 knockouts. The 6-foot-3 fighter has gone from 340 pounds down to about 280 since returning to a strict train- ing regimen.

The next fight is tentatively scheduled for April 10 in Vero Beach, Fla., against a yet-to-be-named opponent.

“We’re looking at that as another tune-up,” said Miller.

If the April event goes as planned, Miller said the follow-up bout would be “before June,” likely at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Although details remain sketchy, Miller has tossed out names of high-ranking Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as possible opponents.

Tyson and Joshua, both from England, are currently ranked one and two in the world, respectively.

At 41, elderly by boxing standards, how much power does Butler have left in his gloves? How much bounce remains in his step?

The oldest heavyweight champ in history was George Fore- man at 45, when he defeated Michael Moorer for the WBA title in 1994 in Las Vegas.

“That’s the type of boxer Big Zo is—like Foreman,” Miller said. “If he’s going to defeat ranked fighters, he’ll need to knock ’em out.”

Butler is the centerpiece but not the entirety of Miller’s boxing aspirations. Miller is encouraged by recent reports that a casino could be on the drawing board for Richmond.

In recent decades, the casinos have hosted more and more headline boxing cards.

“Eventually, I want to bring boxing back to Richmond,” Miller said.