Lenier Pero vs Jordan Thompson Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter

Lenier Pero has been building himself up as a force professionally, undefeated through 12 fights. Jordan Thompson is coming off his first pro loss but has exhibited the kind of one-punch power that keeps him a dangerous threat.  

The two heavyweights will now clash in a pivotal bout that could position the winner for a higher-stakes 2026. It all takes place tonight when Pero takes on Thompson at  Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, and live on DAZN.

Pero (12-0, 8 KOs) last defeated Detrailous Webster via unanimous decision in April, while Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs) will be making his return to the ring as a heavyweight after suffering a TKO defeat at the hands of Jai Opetaia in cruiserweight action back in September 2023.

Will the Cuban southpaw Pero overwhelm Thompson, forcing boxing fans to not blink? Or will Thompson rebuild successfully with a statement win to put the heavyweight division on notice?

With the stakes riding high, DAZN News analyzes Keys to Victory for both heavyweights entering tonight’s bout.

Lenier Pero’s Keys to Victory

Pressure, crowd Thompson’s space early

Jordan Thompson did not handle pressure from Jai Opetaia well.

Granted Opetaia and Lenier Pero are very different fighters, but they are both southpaws. Plus, Pero possesses the kind of agility that could make him a problem for any heavyweight to deal with.

Thus, considering Thompson is moving up to heavyweight for this fight and Pero has already warned him that cruiserweight is not the heavyweight division, the Cuban's best bet to unceremoniously welcome him is to pressure early.

Find home with straight left, launch left hook

Thompson did not have any answers for Opetaia splitting his guard with a straight left hand.

Pero must test that defense, too. The Cuban southpaw finding an early home with the straight left will give him the green light to launch the left hook around the guard soon thereafter.

The straight left could very well serve as the consistent setup to that left hook which detonates with boom and bad intentions.

Don’t overextend on shots

If there is one thing Pero should be mindful of it is overextending on shots and whiffing air. That could leave him vulnerable to counterpunches from Thompson.

Keeping compact with his clubbing shots should keep Pero in control and operating ahead.

Jordan Thompson’s Keys to Victory

Assert the jab

Jordan Thompson has the reach from his 6-foot-6 frame to keep opponents at bay with a crisp jab.

He is better served in the open ring anyway, making it all the more of a reason for Thompson to utilize the stick and keep Lenier Pero from forcing phone booth action.

Crank the uppercut

When Thompson cranks the uppercut, he is able to show resistance to opponents' pressure and generate space between them. Plus, it is a pretty cracking weapon for ‘Troublesome.’

Against a menacing forward-fighting force like Pero, Thompson would be wise to unleash this shot often, especially when experiencing turbulence.

Manage distance, don’t stand too upright

When Opetaia pressed forward and closed ring real estate with Thompson, those were the spots the latter found himself in trouble.

Against a pressuring Pero, Thompson must manage the distance and not get caught standing too upright. A failure to doing both could be the recipe for Thompson looking up at the bright lights of the Caribe Royale in Orlando tonight.

Watch Pero vs. Thompson live on DAZN

Lenier Pero vs. Jordan Thompson is live on DAZN tonight, November 1. Watch the fight and whole card with a DAZN subscription.

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