ORLANDO, Fla. — Lenier Pero has enjoyed a rapid rise in the heavyweight ranks and isn’t far from world title shot.

But if he is going to continue his ascent, he’ll have to handle his business against a man who will be fighting as a full-fledged heavyweight for the first time but has also built his own solid reputation.

Pero, who is ranked No. 3 by the WBA, is scheduled to face Jordan Thompson on Saturday at the Caribe Royale. Thompson has fought at or slightly above the 200-pound cruiserweight limit his entire career, but he has a heavyweight frame at 6-foot-6.

The Englishman arguably represents the most significant test to date for Pero even though he's coming off the only loss in his career, a fourth-round stoppage against IBF titleholder Jai Opetaia in September 2023.

The undefeated Cuban southpaw says he's prepared to show his opponent that the heavyweight division is another world.

“I think you know when you come into these fights how ready you need to be,” Pero said via translator at the final press conference on Thursday. “I feel like I'm very much in the best shape mentally and physically for this fight. I think you know as well from the fights that you've seen me in that I’m a great warrior.

"I want to also welcome my opponent Jordan Thompson, but also say to him that this is not cruiserweight, and you'll see that on Saturday night.”

Pero (12-0, 8 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Detrailous Webster on April 18, the first time Pero had gone the distance since 2022 as he had won five straight by stoppage. Of Pero’s eight wins inside the distance, five have come in the first round.

Pero’s co-promoter, President of Boxlab Promotions Amaury Piedra hasn’t been shy about touting his fighter's potential. At the the same time, he knows anything can happen when two heavyweights step into the ring.

Piedra views Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs) as a genuine threat, which means a victory on Saturday will bring Pero a significant step closer to becoming Cuba’s first heavyweight champion.

“All you can ask for is opportunities,” Piedra said to The Ring. “Then you’ve got to capitalize. I know [Pero is] focused. He's in the best shape he's ever been in. He's ready, so let's see what happens.”

Said Pero: “The reason I believe I can win this fight is that I’ve prepared really well and I am completely ready for this. I also want to show what I am made of, and I believe I can do that.”