“He’s a tough guy with a great chin,” Atlas said. “It’s remarkable for a guy that heavy to have the endurance, the motor that he shows because he’s usually a very busy guy that’s coming forward.”
Still, Atlas believes mileage can become a serious issue for heavyweights who depend on pressure and output.
Atlas focuses on the “motor,” and that’s the real concern. Miller’s entire style is built on high-volume pressure. Most guys his size throw 30 punches a round; Miller tries to throw 60.
As Atlas noted, carrying that extra weight while trying to maintain that output, especially after the damage he took from Dubois and Ruiz, s a recipe for a physical collapse. If Pero can use his amateur pedigree to move and make Miller miss, Miller’s body might finally revolt against the pace he’s trying to set.
“He’s getting older, carrying around that weight for so long, it can have a wearing effect on you physically,” Atlas said while discussing Miller’s condition entering the fight.
The question is whether a 37-year-old heavyweight can survive the cumulative damage of three consecutive “wars” while still carrying the heaviest frame in the division. Miller’s age, ring wear, weight and the volume punching he relies on has a wearing effect.
Pero, 33, may not have Miller’s profile, but Atlas described the Cuban southpaw as a disciplined opponent who works the body, counters effectively, and avoids wasting punches. He said Pero’s style could create a difficult night if Miller cannot keep a high pace.
“He’ll make you miss and make you pay,” Atlas said.
What Miller has in his favor is that Pero isn’t considered one of the dangerous punchers in the division. He doesn’t throw a lot of punches, and he gets hit. The Cuba-born Pero did not look impressive in his last fight against Jordan Thompson last November. He was forced to go the distance with a fighter that cruiserweight Jai Opetaia knocked out in four rounds in his previous fight.
The fight offers major value for both men. Miller is trying to push himself back into the title picture, while Pero has a chance to claim the biggest win of his career. Atlas’s view was clear: Miller’s name still carries weight, but the physical questions have not gone away.
Miller vs. Pero headline this Saturday, April 25th in a 12-round fight at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Las Vegas. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN.
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