Dainier Pero looking to impress against Aleem Whitfield August 8 in Orlando

Undefeated WBA No. 9-ranked heavyweight Dainier Pero is looking for an impressive outing when he returns to the ring against Aleem Whitfield on Saturday, August 8, in a scheduled 10-round bout, live on ESPN from the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. 

Pero, 13-0 (10 KOs), and Whitfield, 10-1 (6 KOs), will meet in the chief supporting bout of the MVPW-05 event, presented by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in association with Boxlab Promotions

The night will be headlined by undisputed bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson defending her IBF, WBC and WBO bantamweight belts against former unified champion Dina Thorslund in the 10-round main event. Unified IBF and WBO middleweight champion Desley Robinson of Australia will attempt to make her third title defense against top-ranked Canadian contender Tamm Thibeault in the 10-round co-main event.

While Whitfield sports just one defeat on his record, he’s seemingly not the kind of high-profile opponent Pero will need to move the heavyweight needle significantly or prove he belongs among the elites just yet. Geneva, New York’s Whitfield suffered a first-round TKO to Australian Olympian Teremoana (then 7-0 7 KOs) in June of last year, before bouncing back with an eight-round shutout decision over 7-4 Julian Gomez in April.

However, the former Cuban amateur standout Pero says he has to be vigilant against all his opponents at this point in his growing career and feels that an impressive showing could generate the buzz he needs to continue his climb.

“…anytime you step into the ring with someone who has only one loss, you know you're facing someone who's coming to win," said Pero. "That's why I prepared the way I always do, with complete focus and respect for my opponent…

"There is a lot on the line in this fight," Pero continued. "A strong performance puts me in position for a chance to move even higher in the world rankings. My goal has always been to become heavyweight champion, and every opponent in front of me is another step toward that dream. I know what's at stake, and I'm ready to take advantage of this opportunity."