SA champion Kevin Lerena returns to boxing ring against Lawrence Okolie on Dubois-Usyk II undercard
Kevin Lerena Kevin Lerena was in fine form as he beat Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko in the third round of their WBC bridgerweight title fight. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Kevin Lerena is preparing for his return to the ring on July 19, where he will face Lawrence Okolie as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated Daniel Dubois v Oleksandr Usyk rematch at Wembley Stadium in London.
Currently holding the WBC bridgerweight championship, Lerena comes into the fight with an impressive record of 31 victories, three defeats and 15 knockouts (31-3, 15 KOs).
The South African southpaw returns to action following a recent successful defence of his title against Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko, whom he stopped just 16 seconds into the third round by knockout.
Lerena and Okolie have been on a collision course for quite some time, and now their long-awaited meeting will finally take place.
British boxer Okolie, who brings a professional record of 21 wins, one loss, and 16 knockouts (21-1, 16 KOs), previously held the bridgerweight title before relinquishing it to pursue his ambitions in the heavyweight division.
Their respective journeys have run alongside each other in recent years.
Lerena originally held the interim bridgerweight belt before being elevated to full champion status, while Okolie opted to make the jump to heavyweight competition.
With the WBC Silver Heavyweight title now at stake, both fighters will be aiming to improve their positions in the highly competitive heavyweight rankings.
Lerena is also widely remembered for his 2022 bout against main-card headliner Dubois, where he managed to knock down the Briton three times before ultimately losing in the third round.
That performance earned Lerena considerable respect, and his return to the UK offers another chance to prove himself against elite-level opponents.
The Lerena v Okolie match-up stands out as one of the more compelling contests on what is already a talent-filled fight card, with both boxers eager to advance towards a world title opportunity in the heavyweight division.
Lerena's recent activity is part of a growing surge in South African boxing.
Following their success just over a month ago, Aquila Boxing Promotions is set to host another major event, featuring Boyd Allen facing Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi for the All Africa Super Welterweight title later this month.
Bagwasi enters the bout undefeated in his professional career, while Allen, who previously competed in MMA, is eager to make his mark in boxing.
With a mixed martial arts record of 16-6-1, Allen has transitioned well into boxing, where he holds a record of 8 wins, one loss and one draw (8-1-1).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Lawrence shares sixth as second round ends at rainy US Open
OAKMONT - Thriston Lawrence sank a four-foot par putt Saturday morning to complete his storm-halted second round of the US Open in a share of sixth place at rainy Oakmont. The 28-year-old South African, halted just shy of the clubhouse by heavy rain Friday night, finished on the ninth hole to complete a four-over par 74 round and stand on one-over 141 through 36 holes. That left him level with Frenchman Victor Perez, four strokes adrift of US leader Sam Burns, who finished a round of 65 on Friday to stand on three-under 137. "Just about when I was going to take my putt, the siren sounded," Lawrence said Friday. "A bit frustrating in that sense, but those are the rules... It's an important putt. Each shot means a lot in a championship like this." American J.J. Spaun, on 138, and Norway's Viktor Hovland on 139 were the only other players below par on the formidable layout, which figures to be far more receptive in round three after an overnight drenching with rain expected to continue all day Saturday. The only other morning drama came as American Philip Barbaree sank a five-foot par putt on the ninth to shoot 71 and become the last player to make the cut, doing so on the number at seven-over 147. That earned him the chance to play alone in the first spot off the first tee at 9:12 a.m. (1312 GMT) to start the third round. Among the leaders, Burns and Spaun were set for a 3:35 p.m. tee time, 11 minutes after Hovland and Australia's Adam Scott begin in the penultimate pairing. World number two Rory McIlroy, nine strokes off the lead at 146, tees off at 10:34 a.m. with third-ranked American Xander Schauffele, the reigning British Open champion. Northern Ireland's McIlroy completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April for his fifth major title. World number one Scottie Scheffler, seeking back-to-back major titles after taking last month's PGA Championship, starts at 1:02 p.m. with fellow American Cameron Young. They were seven off the lead on 144. In all, 67 golfers made the cut to play the final 36 holes. Those missing the cut included defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, past winners Wyndham Clark and Lucas Glover, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, Gary Woodland and Dustin Johnson, England's Justin Rose and Ireland's Shane Lowry. Spectators were kept off the course until after the second round was complete, with the US Golf Association announcing that access to some spectator viewing areas will be limited due to heavy rain.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
‘Special win is for people of South Africa': Bavuma leads Proteas to trophy glory
The South Africans wrapped up the match in style on day four at Lord's on Saturday. Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma said 'the sun is on us at the moment' following his guiding the team to glory in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in London on Saturday. The South African team beat Australia by five wickets to win a first major ICC trophy in 27 years. The game was wrapped up before lunch on day four at a packed Lord's, with thousands of South Africans in the stands cheering their team on. 'We've been wanting this, we've been knocking at the door, getting into these positions,' said Bavuma, who hasn't lost a Test match since being named captain, in a television interview after the game. He contributed a brilliant 66 in his team's second innings as the Proteas chased down their target. The win was also South Africa's eighth in a row in the Test arena. 'Special moment' 'We've gone through heartache, we've gone through disappointments, and seen the past players before us … but the sun is on us at the moment. We've carried the responsibility and hopefully this is one of many. 'As divided as we are sometimes in South Africa, this will allow people to forget all of that and rejoice in the moment and be one.' The skipper, who combined with Aiden Markram (136) for the crucial match-winning partnership, added: 'It's been a special couple of days. At some point I felt like we were back in South Africa [such was the support]. 'We worked hard for this, we came here with belief, and I'm happy we could play well enough to get the result. It's a special moment for us as a group, but it's also special for the people back home.' Markram and Rabada performances Besides the big contributions by the skipper himself and Markram, the other standout player in the match was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who finished the game with nine wickets. 'He's a massive player. He came into the game with controversy behind him (a recreational drug ban), but was so motivated,' said Bavuma. 'He performed like a champion. He came and did what he does.' Regarding the phenomena; batting performance of Markram, who scored a duck in the first innings, Bavuma said: 'Unbelievable … a couple of months ago people asked me why he's in the team … yes, stats are important but so is character, and Aiden carries all those traits.' Coach Shukri Conrad was also a happy man afterwards. 'I'm thrilled and ecstatic for the guys,' he said. 'This was for South Africa … this was special.'
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Magnificent Markram shines as Proteas clinch the World Test Championship title
South Africa are world champions. A five-wicket victory sealed by a nervous drive through extra cover by Kyle Verreynne at 12.46pm local time has elevated their status and put this group of players, so magnificently led by Temba Bavuma, among the legendary sports teams to come out of South Africa. The chase of 282, was led by what is the best Test innings by a South African player — ever — from Aiden Markram. He scored 136, a performance of clinical precision, but more than that sublime elegance. There were 14 fours, a perfect blend of aggression and resolute defence, that surpasses anything any of the great players from South Africa produced. They won't mind. The only mistake was that he wasn't there at the end flicking a delivery off his toes that was well caught at square leg by Travis Head. Markram was crestfallen, but he should not have been. The Australians sportingly all came to shake his hand. They, like everyone else at this ground, recognised the magnificence of his efforts. His partnership with Bavuma, was worth 147 runs, and turned this match decisively in South Africa's favour. Bavuma was dismissed off the 18th ball of the morning, yet another beauty from his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins, that left the right-hand batter off the surface, with extra bounce catching the edge of Bavuma's bat. He'd batted for exactly 200 minutes — most of that time spent hobbling singles, twos and on Saturday morning a very long three. Bavuma, so often the butt of jokes, made a serious statement here. It wasn't just the 66 runs in the second innings, but his shift in tempo on the second morning, after the Australian bowlers had dominated on Wednesday, sent a message to the opposition, but mainly his teammates. "They always know better than the coaches anyway." 🤣❤️ There's something special about this @ProteasMenCSA outfit 🙌 #SSCricket | #WTC25 — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 14, 2025 The Proteas did not need take a backward step. From that moment, even though they conceded a first innings deficit of 74 runs, South Africa were back in this game. Tristan Stubbs did not look himself on Saturday, playing like a batter more determined not to get out than to score. Mitchell Starc bowled him for 8 — which came off 43 balls — with South Africa still needing 41 to get. But the magnificent Markram was still there. Nevermind cricket — this is an innings that should enter South African sporting folklore. Mark Williams' goals in 1996, Joel Stransky's drop goal in 1995 and Aiden Markram's 136 at Lord's in 2025. This was a truly heroic effort from a team, written off by outsiders — many in South Africa, who wore the replica shirts. Well there they stood, on the hallowed turf of this sport's most famous theatre, the captain holding the golden prize.
