Miller and Pero meet in heavyweight clash
LAS VEGAS – The heavyweight division will have a bout where the winner could make a case for having a world title shot as Jarrell Miller faces Lenier Pero in a WBA title eliminator, which headlines a Matchroom Boxing card at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Pero is ranked at 2 in the WBA while Miller is ranked 9th.
For Miller (27-1-2, 22 KOs), he would get closer to an opportunity to fight for a world title for the first time in his career. In 2019, he would have fought for the unified heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua but was removed due to a positive drug test. He was out of boxing from that point until 2022 and climbed up the division rankings until losing to Daniel Dubois in 2023. His last bout was against Kingsley Ibeh in January where he won by decision yet it was not the showing that many would have expected from Miller. On Saturday he hopes to do a better job and come out with the victory.
“Absolutely this is a must win fight for me,” Miller said ahead of this weekend’s bout against Pero. “Now Pero is a phenomenal boxer, he has a good amateur pedigree but it doesn’t mean much to me. The last time I was in the ring, I didn’t perform great but I still got the win. On Saturday, I’m going to have fun beating Pero. I’m going to whoop him.”
The Brooklyn native feels that his punch activity will be too much for the Cuban and the pressure will frustrate him over the course of the fight.
“I’m going to run him over on Saturday night. I’m like a big dumpster truck and he’s a Lotus Elise. It won’t be pretty in the ring. He can run, but I will catch him.”
He has been in camp with Bozy Ennis in Philadephia to get ready for this bout and some have noticed the move and that Miller looks in great shape for the fight against Pero.
“Miller is ready,” Ennis said. “We’re going to shock the world with this fight. Pero is good, but if he comes forward against my fighter, he’s going to catch hell. All Miller has to do is let his hands go. He has a good jab, and as long as he listens to what we tell him, he will be successful.”
Pero (13-0, 8 KOs) is a two-time winner at the Pan American Games in the amateur ranks before turning pro in 2019. He entered the WBA rankings back in 2021 after a win over Dumar Carrascal and went up to number 4 with a victory over Victor Vykhryst in 2023. Last year he scored wins over Detrailous Webster and Jordan Thompson in Orlando, but now he steps up in competition in this world title eliminator.
“A year ago, both of us were asking for a shot at a big fight,” Pero said. “I believe that I am ready for this fight and I’m ready to get the win.”
“I’m a warrior, and I never give in. Miller has been talking a lot of trash but that doesn’t affect me. I’m going to step in the ring and break him. I’m going to use my fists to talk for me in the ring.”
Pero has been under the guidance of Bob Santos and training in Las Vegas for this fight. Santos mentioned that Pero’s talent will be an advantage.
“We can fight on all three levels,” Santos said. “Pero has fought Usyk in the amateurs when he was 16 years old, so he’s seen everything there is to see in the ring. I know that Miller is going to be prepared on Saturday night, and that’s going to make for a good fight. We’re ready to go.”
Both fighters know what’s at stake on Saturday night as a huge fight is lined up for the winner. It will be up to them to decide who is worthy of that spot.
Cover photo by Matchroom Boxing
