Latest news with #FisticHavoc
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kevin Lerena Promotes Fistic Havoc: A New Era for African Boxing
BOYD Allen will be headlining the bill of the Aquilla Boxing Promotions hosted Fistic Havoc at the Sandton Convention Centre. | Supplied It is a fight that excites Lerena: 'This fight speaks to everything we're trying to do at Aquila. It's about opportunity, it's about quality matchups, and it's about putting African talent on a bigger stage. We don't want to just put on fights, we want to raise the standard. If you're fighting under the Aquila banner, it means you're part of something bigger.' Allen, a former Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstar takes on Botswana's undefeated Kagiso Bagwasi with the IBO All Africa Super Welterweight title at stake. To be headlined by the fast-improving Boyd Allen, whose switch from Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) to boxing has been phenomenal, the eight-fight bill promises to be a thrilling affair. The fledgling promotions company has been steadily carving out a new lane for local boxing, one that respects tradition but demands excellence. And this latest offering on June 21 speaks to exactly that. FRESH FROM successfully defending his WBC Bridgerweight title, Kevin Lerena trades the gloves for a suit this month in his role as promoter when his Aquilla Boxing Promotions hosts Fistic Havoc at the Sandton Convention Centre. It is what Allen wanted when he made the switch of sport – he took a rare move for a competitor, he abandoned the world of success and started anew. "I wanted it to be consistent. I wasn't looking for the sporadic flashy matchup. I wanted to construct something again.' And he has done exactly that alright, the man who had built up a 16-6-1 MMA record in featherweight and lightweight fights chalking up eight victories with a draw and a defeat in the sweet science of boxing. 'He's not a crossover guy, he's a total pro," Lerena says. "What Boyd's accomplished is a one-off. He did not just show up- he evolved. This is his new normal.' On paper, Allen is ring-wise. He's been tested. He's been around the block a few times. He's fought under adversity. But facing him in the ring will be a real headache – Bagwasi is a rising star from across the border with an impressive unbeaten record in his six fights – three of which he won by stoppages. His explosive first-round knockout of Almighty Moyo in March raised eyebrows across the region and made him a serious title contender. For Allen, the mission is clear: win the belt, silence any lingering doubts, and continue building toward a legacy not just as an MMA standout, but as a legitimate boxing force. He's not chasing hype — he's chasing greatness. 'This fight is important,' Allen has said. 'Not just for the title, but for everything I've put into this sport since stepping away from MMA. I'm all in.' Also all in are the backers of Lerena and Aquila Boxing Promotions, a fact the man they call Two Guns is quick to acknowledge. "We're beyond grateful to have powerhouse partners in our corner, the kind who don't just support the vision, they supercharge it. Massive thanks to my sponsors: World Sports Betting, Tigris Wealth, Supersport, JCP Steel, and HP. Without your backing, this event wouldn't be the premier, high-calibre showcase it is today. You don't just elevate the event — you define it." Boyd will be out to define his already blossoming career on fight night.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Boyd Allen: Transitioning from MMA Star to IBO All Africa Boxing Contender
GOING FOR GLORY Boyd Allen (right), former MMA star, aims for IBO All Africa boxing glory against undefeated Kagiso Bagwasi at South Africa's 'Fistic Havoc' event on 21 June. Picture supplied. While fans remember Allen for his MMA dominance — boasting a 16-6-1 record during his EFC reign — his pivot to boxing in 2018 was never a side project. Headlining this high-octane event is a Super Welterweight war for the IBO All Africa Title, a compelling continental clash between South Africa's Boyd Allen and Botswana's unbeaten southpaw threat, Kagiso Bagwasi. Lerena will be leaving his boxing gloves at home for this event as the ambassador for Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP). Following The Reckoning in Pretoria last month, which saw Kevin Lerena defend his WBC bridgerweight title , the stage is now set for another big boxing event in South Africa when the 'Fistic Havoc' event takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre on June 21. Boyd's Journey: From Grit to Glory in the African Boxing Arena 'Boyd's story is exactly the kind of journey we want to spotlight,' said Lerena. 'He didn't walk in expecting shortcuts. He started from scratch, took risks, and built his boxing career brick by brick.' Since making his professional debut in October 2018, he has compiled a record of eight wins, one loss, and one draw, with notable victories that highlight his evolution from striker to structured, thinking boxer. He snatched the WBA Pan African title in just his third pro bout — a statement of intent — and has only grown sharper since. Now, standing between him and the IBO All Africa gold is Kagiso Bagwasi, a slick, powerful fighter from Botswana with an unblemished 6-0 record and a 50% Knock-Out (KO) rate. Bagwasi's recent first-round demolition of South African powerhouse Almighty Moyo turned heads across the region and confirmed what insiders already knew — the kid can punch, and he comes to finish. But for Aquila Boxing Promotions, it's also about the bigger picture. 'We're beyond grateful to have powerhouse partners in our corner — the kind that don't just support the vision, they supercharge it,' said Lerena. 'Massive thanks to my sponsors: World Sports Betting, Tigris Wealth, Supersport, JCP Steel, and HP. Without your backing, this event wouldn't be the premier, high-calibre showcase it is today. You don't just elevate the event — you define it. 'South African boxing has the talent, the heart, the legacy. What it needs is infrastructure, consistency, and belief. That's what ABP is committed to delivering.' IOL Sport
