This Saturday, Jarrell Miller is set to go to war against unbeaten Cuban Lenier Pero in a 12-round WBA heavyweight title eliminator in the headliner of a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
In the build-up to the fight, Miller, known for his brash talking, has vowed to run over Pero. However, that is not entirely true.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, ‘Big Baby’ emphasised that he is not taking the Cuban Southpaw lightly and he is aware of the danger posed, but confidently asserted that he will do what he needs to get the job done.
“Anybody with two hands and willing to get in there and fight is going to be dangerous,” Miller told The Ring. “I’m not taking him lightly, but I know what I’ve got to do, and I know what I can do, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Miller is 37 years old and hungry. The New Yorker carries a record of 27-1-2 with 22 knockouts. In his most recent bout, he faced Kingsley Ibeh at Madison Square Garden, New York, in January.
In a 10-round back-and-forth fight, the 37-year-old managed to get the hand raised via split decision victory that put him back in the win column. Before that, he had not tasted victory since March 2023, when he stopped Lucas Browne in the sixth round.
On the other hand, Pero has a perfect record of 13 wins, out of which eight came via knockouts. His last win came against Jordan Thompson, where he secured a unanimous decision victory at the Caribe Royal Orlando.
Jarrell Miller Launches Explosive Rant at Lenier Pero in Heated Face-Off
In the pre-fight press conference for Saturday’s WBA heavyweight title eliminator, things got heated between these two while having a face-off, with Miller unleashing. “I’mma turn you into cheese. Turn you into Mac and cheese. Turn you into cheese. Yeah. Cook your a**. After I knock you, I’m going knock your brother out, too. Both of y’all get it the same year.”
‘Big Baby’ is a seasoned professional. He knows exactly what he is doing at a press conference. Every word is a weapon. Every line is calculated to get inside an opponent’s head. But this felt different. This felt personal.
Bringing Pero’s brother into it was a bold move. It was designed to rattle the unbeaten Cuban. To disturb his focus. To make Saturday night feel bigger and more personal than it already is.
Lenier’s youngest brother, Dainier Pero, is also a professional boxer and competes in the same weight class. He, too, is undefeated with a professional record of 11 wins, eight of which came via knockout.
Whether Miller’s strategy to get into Lenier works it worked remains to be seen.
