Daily Dispatch

Lerena looks the right fit for series

- MESULI ZIFO

Kevin Lerena of South Africa is a hot favourite to enter the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) after Comosa AG confirmed that cruiserwei­ght will again be featured in the second season.

Lerena, who holds the IBO title in the division, is one of the marketable boxers and he is highly rated by other major world bodies.

His promoter Rodney Berman had confirmed that there were initial discussion­s with WBSS owners to feature the left-hander.

“But it is still to early to say anything officially now because they have not even announced that the cruiserwei­ght in the second season,” he said before Comoso AG made the announceme­nt.

Since then the division has been officially been announced after Comoso AG released a statement on its website this week.

In the statement Comoso said it was delighted to announce that Season II of the World Boxing Super Series will feature the fiercely-competitiv­e cruiserwei­ght division as the third and final weight class.

“Season I paved the way for Aleksandr Usyk to write history and take home the first-ever Muhammad Ali Trophy,” said Comosa’s chief boxing officer, Kalle Sauerland.

“The cruiserwei­ght edition of the Ali Trophy gave the world spectacula­r match-ups in the quarterfin­als, fight of the year contenders in the semifinals and we witnessed Usyk as a pound-for-pound best with his amazing performanc­e in the final. We are really looking forward to continuing the success of this exciting weight class in Season II.”

The eight confirmed cruiserwei­ght will be announced over the next days.

“People can expect a very strong line-up,” said Sauerland.

“There will be some remarkable names from Season I, the highest ranked challenger­s and as always in the World Boxing Super Series a huge geographic spread. We now have all three weight classes in place and we cannot wait to share the Ali Trophy action with the whole world!”

Should Lerena be confirmed as an entrant he will join Mdantsane boxer Zolani Tete as only the two African boxers in the series.

Tete, a WBO world bantamweig­ht champion, will face Russian Mikhail Aloyan in the first round in Russia on October 13.

 ?? Picture: VELI NHLAPO ?? ON CUE: IBO title-holder, Kevin Lerena of SA is expected to participat­e in the second season of the World Boxing Super Series.
Picture: VELI NHLAPO ON CUE: IBO title-holder, Kevin Lerena of SA is expected to participat­e in the second season of the World Boxing Super Series.

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