Lerena returns to the ring for bridgerweight fight

The path to another world title is finally clear for International Boxing Organisation (IBO) cruiserweight champion Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena.

He will be taking on Belgian Bilal Laggoune for the World Boxing Council (WBC)’s silver title in the new 224-pound (102kg) bridgerweight division on March 13 at Emperor’s Palace.

The silver champion represents the WBC’s second tier title, just below the world champion and should Lerena prevail, he will be guaranteed a shot at the vacant WBC bridgerweight world title, according to promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves, who co-promotes Lerena in association with DiBella Entertainment.

Despite an extremely difficult 2020, Lerena has seen action twice, scoring stoppages against former World Boxing Association champion Firat Arslan and most recently Patrick Ferguson to run his record to 26-1 with 13 knockouts.

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The Ferguson fight was held at a catchweight above the cruiserweight limit, so the heavier weight will not come as a shock for the South African, who is ranked third in the division by the WBC.

The 28-year-old Laggoune is an experienced campaigner, sporting a solid 25-2-2 record with 14 knockouts. He is also a former Belgian, European Union and International Boxing Federation intercontinental cruiserweight champion and is ranked number 12 in the division by the WBC.

His only two losses came by split and majority decisions, the last one in the UK. He moves well around the ring and likes to box behind a quick jab, using it to set up a well-varied offence.

The pair have a common opponent in Dmytro Kucher, whom Laggoune fought to a draw in 2015. Lerena outpointed Kucher in 2018 in defence of his IBO world title, a belt he has defended six times.

This will be the first bout since the WBC has introduced the bridgerweight division, and for the winner history in the annals of the WBC is assured, contesting the first-world title at bridgerweight.

In so far as Lerena is concerned, he’s intent in being the third boxer from South Africa to lift the famous green belt.

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Fight card:

Super middleweight (4 rounds)
Christian Lebote vs TBA

Junior featherweight (8 rounds)
Lodumo Lamati vs TBA

Junior Bantamweight (8 rounds)
Ricardo Malajika (Afrivan Boxing Union All Africa champion) vs Sabelo Ngebinyana (SA champion)

Super middleweight (10 rounds)
Rowan Campbell (SA and IBO All Africa champion) vs Ryno Liebenberg

WBC Bridgerweight silver title (12 rounds)
Kevin Lerena (IBO cruiserweight world champion) vs Bilal Laggoune