Lerena ready to get back in the ring
In a rather awkward moment during the press conference, Lerena’s trainer, Peter Smith, cleared the air on the former’s positive test on a banned substance; explaining the test was done while his trainee was still under medication from the surgery.
International Boxing Organisation (IBO) cruiserweight champion Kevin Lerena will be put to the test after recovering from a shoulder injury last year which has sidelined him since June.
Lerena (21-1; 9) will headline the second of the two Golden Gloves tournaments announced at Emperors Palace on January 17 when he faces Artur Mann from Germany on March 16.
The German is undefeated in 15 fights with one knockout less than his South African opponent.
“It will have been nine months since I stepped into the ring,” said Lerena at the press conference.
“Shoulder surgery has made me a different animal; none of my opponents has been Mickey Mouse, they’re the real deal.
“I’m going to continue working hard. Artur Mann is a good opponent, he cannot be overlooked.”
Lerena’s stablemate, SA super middleweight champion Rowan Campbell, will defend his belt against Yanga Phetani in the main event of the February 24 tournament dubbed Battle Stations.
In other well-poised bouts, Clement Kamanga takes on Marios Matamba for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight all Africa title at Battle Stations while former Mixed martial arts (MMA) star Boyd Allen faces John Bopape at No Mercy in March.
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