Lerena packs a punch

After defeating Marcos Ahamada at Emporer’s Palace on 9 August, Lerena pushed his winning streak to 10 matches in a row, since turning pro at the age of 19. Lerena trains with Sean Smith of Smith’s Boxing Gym in Cedar Square.

“It’s such a pleasure to work with a young aspiring athlete like Kevin,” Smith said. “He’s quite an eccentric character which brings a spark to the sport of boxing which it desperately needs.” Despite being one of South Africa’s up and coming athletes, Lerena explained that his introduction to boxing began as a result of the bullying he endured in his teenage years.

“I was very small when I was younger so I was picked on at school,” he said. “So at the age of 15 I decided to go to a boxing gym with my brother. From the minute I started, I was bitten by the boxing bug.”

Lerena had a burgeoning career in rugby before he decided to pursue professional boxing. “I played for the Lions in the U19 Currie Cup, but at the time I realised that I wasn’t going to make it 100 percent in rugby so I chose to rather pursue boxing,” he explained.

While the public may be more familiar with Lerena’s name due to his involvement as a witness in the Oscar Pistorius trial he explained that he is trying to separate his career from the trial. “It was a sad thing that happened and I had to step up to the plate,” he said. “But I’m trying to isolate myself from the trial because my career has nothing to do with it.”

Lerena has just signed a promotional contract with Golden Gloves boxing promoters and will be fighting in the Palace Storm tournament at Emperor’s Palace on 29 September. Lerena’s fight will be a tribute to Smith’s father, legendary boxer, Kosie Smith. “My biggest goal in my boxing career is to have zero losses on my record,” Lerena said.

Details: www.smithsboxing.co.za