Sowetan

Lerena looks beyond his Ukrainian foe

‘Two Guns’ has a plan for Roman

- By Bongani Magasela

It will be a case of brains versus brawn when Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena puts his IBO cruiserwei­ght title on the line for the second time against highly rated Germanbase­d Ukrainian Roman Golovashch­enko on June 2.

The beauty is that the fight will take place in Azerbaijan which is the neutral venue for both boxers. The 30-year-old challenger, who is undefeated in 10 years, is a powerhouse who has left 17 of his 19 victims counting the stars.

Golovashch­enko’s only loss was in 2008 in what was his fifth profession­al bout. He is the former Global Boxing Council, IBO Internatio­nal, IBF East and West Europe and current IBO Inter-Continenta­l champion.

Lerena is an intelligen­t boxer who is getting better as his career is flourishin­g. The former WBF Africa, WBC Youth Silver SA, WBA Pan African titlist is not perturbed by Golovashch­enko’s CV.

“I feel good and strong. When I beat this guy there will be big things to come for me,” predicted Lerena. “I had best preparatio­ns sparring big guy Ukrainian Vlad Sirenko.

“I’m very confident. I am almost at the top now. The world has seen what I can do. I just need to beat this guy and doors will open for me. We’ve been working very hard.”

Lerena added: “I have seen a little of his footage and, to be honest, I leave that to my trainer. But he is a hooker and strong. Look, it is brain versus brawn. We have a game plan.”

Trainer Peter Smith said: “We’ve had unbelievab­le preparatio­ns. We’ve worked hard and had great sessions. I am very confident of us retaining our belt.”

Lerena and Smith jet off to Azerbaijan on Sunday. Lerena has 20 wins, nine knockouts against a loss.

 ?? /VELI NHLAPO ?? Kevin Lerena connects with a straight left through the defence of Dmytro Kucher.
/VELI NHLAPO Kevin Lerena connects with a straight left through the defence of Dmytro Kucher.

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