Boxing
Is it put-up-or-shut-up time for Miller with Pero eliminator?
Miller vs. Pero: Subscribe to watch - Saturday
Every boxer has the same career goal, give or take; become world champion and make as much money as possible along the way.
Jarrell Miller had the chance to do both across his career. Yet the New York native squandered his opportunities, and left both on the table.
Not many fighters get to rectify their mistakes. This weekend however, 'Big Baby' will get what many see as his last shot to seize glory.
The American faces unbeaten Cuban star Lenier Poro at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Las Vegas, live and exclusively on DAZN.
DAZN FACE OFF: Wardley vs. Dubois
Watch explosive encounter here
Now, the mission is simple for the veteran. It's time to either put up or shut up for one of the glamour division's biggest personalities.
In the summer of 2018, Miller (27-1-2, 22 KOs) was all the rage. He went face-to-face with then-unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua at DAZN's US launch press conference in June 2018, which saw the former got under the skin of the usually calm British superstar.
Miller reeled off two consecutive stoppage wins in the fall of 2018 to earn a crack at Joshua's belts and the largest payday of his career in a bout scheduled for June 1, 2019. However, Miller went on to fail a series of drug tests and was pulled from the fight.
Things appeared to be trending up for Miller in 2020 as he signed a co-promotional deal with Top Rank. Again, Miller got in his own way and cost himself another golden opportunity as he failed another drug test and was dropped by the promotion.
Miller got suspended, but when he got cleared to compete, he was persona non grata. He didn't return to the ring until June 2022 against Ariel Esteban Bracamonte in Argentina. He won by unanimous decision and took two subsequent lower-tier fights that he won before Miller got another crack at big-time boxing against Daniel Dubois on a Riyadh Season card in October.
Miller lost by tenth-round TKO to the former heavyweight champion, but he hung tough and had moments in the opening rounds before his world-renowned cardio quit on him. The loss might have been the best thing for Miller.
He looked good in a highly disputed majority draw with former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz in August 2024 in a bout most felt Miller should have gotten the nod. After some injuries, Miller returned in January on a Ring Magazine show on DAZN from Madison Square Garden versus Kingsley Ibeh.
Miller won by split decision, but the fight was more notable for him losing his hairpiece during the fight.
While it was a funny moment, it was the thing that put Miller back into people's minds. He handled the post-fight interview like only Miller can, and he parlayed it into a series of high-profile appearances on Jimmy Kimmel and Nightcap.
Miller's back in a spot he should have never left to begin with. He made his bed and had to sleep in it.
Saturday's fight with Pero is a WBA heavyweight title eliminator. If Miller looks good and wins, the 37-year-old puts himself in a great position for an opportunity for heavyweight gold.
But a loss wipes away his goals and his dreams for good.
Watch Wardley vs. Dubois only on DAZN
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.
