Jarrell Miller and Lenier Pero are set to collide in a battle of fringe heavyweight contenders on April 25 in Las Vegas, BoxingScene understands. The contest will top a Matchroom-promoted event at Fontainebleau.
It will be the first time Miller, 27-1-2 (22 KOs), has been seen in a ring since his hairpiece was thumped out of place during his 10-round points win over Kingsley Ibeh in January. The 37-year-old, from Brooklyn, remains a marketable player in the heavyweight sweepstakes despite fighting only six times in as many years after he infamously tested positive for numerous banned substances in 2019, losing his opportunity to challenge Anthony Joshua in the process. Following that, Eddie Hearn stated he would never work with Miller again but, just last week, the promoter alluded to a change of heart.
In Pero, 13-0 (8 KOs), he meets an unbeaten – albeit largely untested – Cuban who is ranked No. 2 by the WBA. Though a decorated amateur the 33-year-old is yet to partake in a contest scheduled for more than 10 rounds. Over that distance, he outpointed Jordan Thompson on a Matchroom bill last November.
The only other truly noteworthy victory for the southpaw came in 2023 when he halted the then-unbeaten Viktor Vykhryst in eight rounds.
Light heavyweight Ben Whittaker was rumored to be on the undercard though it seems more likely he will instead appear in Liverpool, England, on April 18 when Matchroom’s Callum Smith takes on David Morrell.
