Lerena blows his own trumpet

BOXERS have never been afraid to blow their own trumpets and perhaps it was hardly surprising when Kevin “Ko Kid” Lerena said his prowess in the ring had protected his “movie star good looks”.

Lerena has fought 97 rounds in a career which dates back to 2011 and he proudly told the Daily Dispatch his crafty defence in the ring had kept his looks unblemished. “I have got a great defence‚” he said. “I am always hard on my defence‚ but I also look to take my offence to new levels.”

The 24-year-old left-hander – who holds the South African and WBA Pan African cruiserweight belts – had a public workout this week as he prepares for his international 10-rounder against Namibian Vikapita “The Beast Master” Meroro at Emperors Palace on February 4. He has eight knockouts in 16 wins and the only blemish to his record was a points defeat over 10 rounds to Johnny “The Hurricane” Muller in 2014.

Lerena took great joy in avenging that loss when he beat Muller via a 10th round knockout in April last year.

He said he is approaching his fight against the Namibian with extreme caution and will not allow news that Meroro – a former WBO Africa holder from Windhoek – could be rusty after last fighting competitively in May 2015.

The 32-year-old Meroro – who has flattened 14 of his 28 victims against five losses – last fought when he was knocked out in the sixth round by Dmitry Kudryashov of Russia. He is trained by Nestor Tobias.

“He is a very experienced opponent and we take no opponents lightly‚” said Lerena‚ whose non-title bout against Meroro will form part of Golden Gloves’ “Thunder and Lightning” bill.

“I am going to win because hungry and I work hard. “I also have the skills to back it up.” A vacant IBO junior flyweight championship showdown between Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler and Joey Canoy from the Philippines will also feature on the “Thunder and Lightning” bill.

Budler and his stablemate Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg were also part of this week’s public workout.

Liebenberg will welcome German Enrico Koeling in a rematch.

Koeling out-pointed the local fighter in their first fight in Germany in October last year. But the verdict was contentious and it is for this very reason the two boxers are meeting for the second time to settle the score. — TMG

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