
Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller returns to the ring tonight in perhaps his final run at trying to become a heavyweight world champion.
The Brooklyn, New Yorker collides with undefeated Cuban heavyweight Lenier Pero at Fountainbleau Las Vegas, exclusively live on DAZN , in an eliminator for the WBA title.
Miller (27-1-2, 22 knockouts) is coming off a lackluster split-decision victory over Kingsley Ibeh this past January in a fight that had ‘Big Baby’ going viral for his hairpiece rising off his head after being hit with a jab.
He tipped the scale at 305 pounds Friday , looking to be in the best shape boxing fans have seen him in for quite some time. Miller will look for a strong showing against Pero (13-0, 8 KOs) who produced a unanimous decision over Jordan Thompson in November.
With the stakes high for both heavyweights, DAZN News analyzes their Keys to Victory, breaking down the tactics of each fighter ahead of tonight.
Despite coming in at a trim 305 pounds — the lightest we’ve seen ‘Big Baby’ in some time — Miller still outweighs Lenier Pero by nearly 55 pounds. Miller ought to use that mass to walk the Cuban down, especially early, in letting the undefeated fighter know that he can assert pressure at will.
Besides, Miller does his best work in cramped quarters anyway.
‘Big Baby’ has more sweet science skills than he’s given credit for. Case in point: his uppercut. Miller launches the weapon on the inside with slick, compact delivery.
When he shoulders an opponent in getting extra close, Miller's uppercut is enough to pop the head back of any foe.
Using the shot against a slightly taller Pero makes all the good boxing sense.
Watch Miller closely and the right uppercut-left hook combination is some of his best offerings.
He has a chance to score big with this combo, especially if he makes sure to wrap the left hook around Pero’s guard.
The combo could be the recipe to Miller making good on this late bid for a title shot … and maybe even throwing his name in the running for a potential crack at Anthony Joshua if the British fighter wants a bout before trying to get Tyson Fury in the ring.
Lenier Pero has excellent body work, frequently changing levels to stab jab at opponents’ midsections, or really loading up with crunching rib shots.
This body work might look like it’s not fazing Jarrell Miller. However, over the course of this heavyweight fight, these shots could go long ways at slowing ‘Big Baby’ down and maybe even leaving him ripe for a more damaging blow upstairs.
Miller can be slick with his sweet science upstairs and Pero’s best recourse to responding is with his sound defense. The Cuban fighter, who has a decorated amateur pedigree, has great hand positioning to his tight guard, fending off opponents’ punches well.
If he can do this cleanly against Miller, Pero could find himself in position to detonate a counter right that changes the course of this fight.
When Miller is being a weight bully and walking Pero down, the Cuban can stand to use these moments to his advantage. His best reply would be measuring Miller up for an overhand left.
Pero throws the shot with whiplash-like delivery and can catch an unsuspecting Miller with it if he times the weapon right.
A southpaw, with 79 inches of reach, Pero can do damage with this punch if he lands it with consistency.
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.


