HUNGRY TO CRUSH RUSTY RIVAL
Crafty defence helps Lerena ‘keep movie star looks’
BOXERS have never been afraid to blow their own trumpets, so it was hardly surprising when Kevin “KO Kid” Lerena said he maintained his movie star good looks by protecting himself in the ring.
Lerena, 24, has fought 97 rounds in a career which dates back to 2011, and he proudly said his crafty defence in the ring had helped keep his chiselled looks unblemished.
“I have a great defence‚” he said. “I am always hard on my defence‚ but I also look to take my offence to new levels.”
The left-hander, who holds the South African and WBA Pan African cruiserweight belts, had a workout this week as he prepares for his international 10-round fight against Namibian Vikapita “The Beast Master” Meroro at Emperors Palace on February 4.
Lerena has eight knockouts in 16 wins, with the only blemish to his record a 10-round points defeat to Johnny “The Hurricane” Muller in 2014.
Lerena took great joy in avenging that loss when he beat Muller with a 10th-round knockout in April last year.
He said he was approaching his fight against Meroro, 32, with caution and did not consider news that the Namibian – a former WBO Africa holder from Windhoek – could be rusty after last fighting competitively in May 2015.
Meroro, who has flattened 14 of his 28 opponents against five losses, last fought when he was knocked out in the sixth round by Dmitry Kudryashov of Russia.
Meroro is trained by Namibian promoter Nestor Tobias.
Lerena said: “He is a very experienced fighter and we take no opponents lightly.”
The non-title bout will form part of Golden Gloves’ “Thunder and Lightning” bill.
“I am going to win because I am too hungry and I work hard,” Lerena said.
“I have never been outworked. My dedication takes me through my fights.
“I also have the fighting skills to back it up.”
A vacant IBO junior flyweight championship showdown between Johannesburg’s Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler and Joey Canoy, of the Philippines, will also feature on the bill.
Budler and his stablemate, Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg, were also part of this week’s public workout.
Liebenberg will welcome German Enrico Kolling in a rematch.
Kolling outpointed the South African in their clash in Germany in October.
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.
I am always hard on my defence‚ but I also look to take my offence to new levels