Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena's boxing career is growing rapidly.
He first won the IBO cruiserweight belt which he defended successfully six times before moving up to the heavyweight where he won the WBO Inter-Continental title.
Lerena became the first African to win the WBC bridgerweight belt which was established in 2020, and he defended it successfully on May 1.
The left-hander who is trained by Peter Smith will challenge for the WBC heavyweight silver title in front of 96,000 fans at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London on July 19.
His dance partner is Lawrence “The Source” Okolie, the Englishman, who has previously held the WBO cruiserweight and WBC bridgerweight belts.
The fight will deputise for the undisputed heavyweight clash between WBA Super, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion, Oleksandr “White Rabbit” Usyk, and IBF titlist Daniel “Triple D” Dubois.
Usyk is from Ukraine while Dubois comes from Greenwich in the United Kingdom.
Victory for Lerena will put him in line to challenge for a heavyweight title.
I'm facing a top-tier opponent like Lawrence Okolie – coming off a strong victory, I feel more focused and driven than ever
— Kevin Lerena
He described his upcoming fight as an absolute honour to be the co-main event of the undisputed heavyweight world championship.
“I'm facing a top-tier opponent like Lawrence Okolie – coming off a strong victory, I feel more focused and driven than ever,” he said.
“I’ve always said my mission is to take SA boxing to the global stage and step by step we've done exactly that. I’m walking a path that many never imagined possible, doing what others thought I couldn’t.”
Lerena always believed in his journey. “I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve achieved,” he said, adding that his upcoming fight is a chance to cement his place as one of SA's greatest fighters of this era.
Lerena added: “And God willing, a win here puts me right in line for a shot at heavyweight gold, with the dream of becoming one of the greatest South African heavyweights of all time.”
SA has previously had three heavyweight world champions, WBA Gerrie Coetzee, IBF Francois Botha and WBO in Corrie Sanders.
Lerena paid tribute to his team, sponsors, and the 'incredible' Lerena Army that continues to stand behind him.
“Thank you for the belief, the support, and the energy. We’re not done yet ... this is just another step towards greatness,” said Lerena who has 31 wins with 15 knockouts against three losses.
Okolie has knocked out 16 of his 21 victims, against a defeat.
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