Too close to call in Lerena fight
TOUGH-AS-NAILS KALENGA A BIG THREAT Trainer Smith says his man will have to use his feet more.
The focus falls on boxing’s cruiserweight division tonight, when two seperate explosive bouts take place at Emperor’s Palace and in Germany. Oleksandr Usyk, arguably the King of the Cruiserweights, meets German-based Serb Marco Huck in Germany, while Emperors Palace hosts a mouth-watering clash between Kevin Lerena and the Frenchman Youri Kalenga for the IBO cruiserweight title.
The two bouts highlight the interest that the cruiserweight division is now attracting globally.
Lerena and Kalenga have a combined record of 41 wins, with just four losses, and only one of those attributable to Lerena.
“I honestly think the best bout will be the one between Lerena and Kalenga,” said Golden Gloves Promotions boss Rodney Berman. “Both these guys are evenly matched, and the reputations of tonight’s victors will increase immensely.”
Lerena’s trainer Peter Smith admits that the French-based challenger poses much more danger than any of the previous opponents his charge was initially scheduled to face.
“Of course Kalenga brings a more serious challenge than the guys we were to fight initially. This guy is a puncher and has fought on the world stage against world-class fighters.”
Indeed, Kalenga has lost just three times – two of which were against world champions – in 26 bouts.
Smith acknowledges the power of the Frenchman, cautioning Lerena against engaging in a battle in the trenches.
“Kevin will need to use his feet more in this bout and make sure that he does not engage in long battles in the pocket against this guy.”
The Smith camp will also usher Thulani Mbenge to battle when he takes Eastern Cape homeboy Mziwoxolo Ndwayana in defence of his SA welterweight belt, and in another mouth-watering preliminary, prospect Brendon Thysse will attempt to unseat Nkululeko Mhlongo as the national champion of the junior-middleweight division.