Jarrell Miller defeats Lenier Pero to target Deontay Wilder showdown
American heavyweight Jarrell Miller has secured a unanimous points victory over Cuba’s Lenier Pero in a WBA title eliminator in Las Vegas.
The dominant performance moves the Brooklyn native a crucial step closer to a heavyweight world championship opportunity.
Promoter Eddie Hearn is now targeting a lucrative domestic clash with former world champion Deontay Wilder for his victorious fighter.
Wilder showdown targeted for New York
Hearn has quickly identified his preferred next step, aiming to stage a high-profile heavyweight bout on the East Coast.
Wilder recently returned to winning ways by defeating British veteran Derek Chisora, making a potential clash highly appealing for US audiences.
“For me, the American fight is Deontay Wilder against Jarrell Miller,” said Hearn.
“Run it in New York. That’s a serious fight. Deontay’s come back with a good win against Chisora, I think that’s a big fight for American boxing.”
High volume output secures crucial win
Working with new trainer Bozy Ennis for the first time, Miller produced a relentless offensive display to overwhelm his opponent.
The heavyweight threw over 1,000 punches during the gruelling contest, showcasing remarkable stamina.
Weighing in at a relatively lean 138kg (305lbs), the victor credited his improved physical conditioning for the exceptional work rate.
This result marks a second consecutive triumph in 2026, keeping his final run toward world title contention firmly alive.
“I wasn’t looking for the knockout, I just wanted to see what my conditioning was and get back to a lot of punches,” the fighter explained.
“A couple of times I know I had him hurt but I’m like, ‘you know what? Work, baby, just work. Don’t look for it too much.’ But it was good, though, getting the rust off.”
