Jarrell Miller squared off against Lenier Pero on a Matchroom Boxing card, headlining the event at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas on April 25.
The WBA heavyweight title eliminator bout for Murat Gassiev’s Regular title, contested over 12 rounds, saw Miller rely on relentless pressure and high punch output to overcome the unbeaten Cuban, with all three judges scoring the fight in his favour.
Miller, who entered the ring ranked No.9 by the WBA, ultimately made the difference on the scorecards.
According to CompuBox statistics, the American landed 290 punches from a staggering 1,003 thrown, compared to Pero’s 253 landed from 648 attempts.
While Pero, who entered the contest ranked 2nd, was the more accurate fighter, landing at 39 percent compared to Miller’s 29 percent, he struggled to match the sheer volume and forward pressure Miller applied throughout the contest.
Miller consistently pushed the pace, backing Pero up against the ropes in most rounds and forcing exchanges, where he began to establish control of the fight. The ‘Big Baby’ and the Cuban made it into the slightest for the fans.
The Cuban southpaw had moments of success, particularly in starting two rounds, but after that, it was Miller’s fight.
The judges scored the bout 115–113, 117–111, and 117–111 in favour of Miller.
Miller calls out potential heavyweights
Speaking after the fight, Miller wasted little time in outlining his next move, calling for a return on the undercard of Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis on June 27 in Brooklyn, a bout expected to be contested for Zayas’ WBA and WBO 154-pound titles on DAZN PPV.
“I’m trying to fight again, maybe June on Boots and his undercard in New York,” Miller said, before issuing a direct callout.
“Pero, where’s your brother at, man? Tell him he can get his a** whooped next.”
Miller also mentioned several high-profile names in the division, including Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, as he outlined potential future matchups.
“If anybody’s unavailable, we know Usyk is fighting Rico. Tyson might be interested, but we want to fight on neutral ground,” he said.
He also took aim at Wilder, adding:
“Deontay, he don’t want to fight Big Baby… if you don’t shut your pie ass up and come fight me.”
Miller’s pressure hands Pero his first career loss
At 37 years old, Miller showed the value of experience, using his physicality and engine to wear down his opponent. His ability to maintain a high output proved crucial in neutralising Pero’s technical advantages.
For Pero, the fight marks the first defeat of his professional career, bringing his record to 13–1. It will remain to be seen how he comes back from the loss.
Miller, meanwhile, improves his record to 28–1–2 and continues his push towards bigger opportunities in a competitive heavyweight division.
The win marked Miller’s second consecutive victory and his first time securing multiple wins in a calendar year since 2022.
While the bout may not have produced a knockout finish, it delivered entertainment for fans.
