Pero came out well early, using his southpaw jab, quick counters, and cleaner feet to give Miller problems in the opening rounds. He was sharper at range and landed enough left hands to make Miller work for every step forward. Miller looked heavy at times in the first half, but he kept marching in and forcing exchanges.
That steady pressure changed the fight.
Once Miller got close, he leaned on Pero, crowded him, and made the bout rough. He began landing hooks, short uppercuts, and right hands inside while pushing Pero back toward the ropes. The younger Cuban contender continued fighting back, but the pace started to wear on him as the rounds moved on.
Miller’s best work came in the middle and late rounds, where he outpunched Pero through activity alone and mixed in harder body shots. He never gave Pero room to reset. That has long been Miller’s best route in fights. He can make opponents work every second, and many heavyweights do not enjoy that kind of night.
No knockdowns were scored, but Miller looked like the stronger man by the finish and closed better than Pero.
The win moves Miller to 28-1-2 (22 KOs), while Pero drops to 13-1 (8 KOs) after suffering the first defeat of his pro career.
For Miller, the result keeps a career that nearly derailed years ago moving again. Seven years after losing the Anthony Joshua payday following failed drug tests, he is still chasing the kind of money fight that slipped away. He may not be a champion, but heavyweights with his name value and style usually keep getting calls.
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