Cuban heavyweight dubbed ‘bigger version of Oleksandr Usyk’ has all the tools to become a dominant force
Dainier Pero has a bright future ahead of him.
As Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua near the end of their respective careers, the next generation of heavyweights are lining up to take their place.
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Double Olympic gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov of Uzbekistan has been tipped to take the reins from the big three, while British teenage sensation Moses Itauma is expected to do big things as well.
But Cuban boxing fans should be just as excited about Pero.
The 24-year-old is a promising undefeated pro and comes from a decorated amateur background.
He represented his country in the super-heavyweight division at the Tokyo Olympics, where he reached the quarter-finals before crashing out against eventual silver medallist Richard Torrez.
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Two years prior, Pero defeated Torrez en route to winning gold at the Pan American Games and also scooped another major gold medal at the 2016 Youth World Championships.
Pero turned over as a professional immediately after his Olympic heartbreak and has got off to a flying start to life in the paid ranks.
The Cuban sensation has won all eight of his fights including six by way of knockout.
He has yet to face stiff competition in the pros, but off the eye test alone there is a lot to like about Pero.
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His trainer Bob Santos has dubbed him 'a bigger version of Usyk' and there are clear similarities between the pair.
Like Usyk, Pero is an extremely patient and methodical fighter who prefers to set traps and attack openings rather than chase the stoppage.
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The Cuban southpaw combines strong boxing IQ with excellent fundamentals, fast hands and nimble footwork - all qualities that the Ukrainian heavyweight king is noted for.
At 6ft 5ins tall and 240lbs, Pero is big enough to compete with the giants of the glamour division and also packs a punch that demands respect.
Santos, who has worked with several current and former world champions including Erislandy Lara and Roberto Guerrero, is confident he will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.
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“I’ve trained many fighters, but Dainier Pero is something special," he said. "His combination of speed, power, and footwork is amazing.
"I firmly believe we have the next great heavyweight star in boxing. He’s a bigger version of Oleksandr Usyk.”
Pero's promoter Amaury Piedra of Boxlab Promotions is also of the same thinking: “Dainier Pero has all the tools to become a dominant force in the heavyweight division...
"The sky is the limit for him, and we are committed to guiding him to the top.”
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