Lerena notches up the big one

THERE no doubt that Kevin Lerena waited long to become the new IBO cruiserweight world champion.

Lerena notched up the world title belt dispensing of Youri Kalenga for the vacant title over twelve hard-fought rounds.

Emperors Explosion boxing tournament was held on September 9 at Emperors Palace. It was presented by Golden Gloves Promotions. The bill featured five action-packed bouts in front of a huge crowd.

Lerena had to wait a couple of months for this title fight when three opponents pulled out before the worthy opponent Kalenga, who hails from the DRC and fights out of France, was brought to the shores of South Africa to take on the South African.

The fight did not always go to according to Lerena’s plans. He occasionally tumbled when Kalenga caught him on the counter attacks. Lerena started out slowly and in the process was caught time and time again with explosive punches aimed at his jaws. Trainer Peter Smith had to adjust his plans with his fighter and Lerena slowly got the upper hand.

Before the fight started, Rodney Berman said, “If Lerena (Kevin) tonight mixes up his boxing, he has a good chance of getting the world title, or else he will be in trouble.”

And how true Berman’s prediction was! In the end Lerena mixed up his boxing to capture a split decision from the judges to claim the sought after IBO cruiserweight title by a points decision 116/113, 115/113, 111/117.

A boxer to watch in future is Chris Thomson. Lerena might find him as a challenger in the long run. Chris Thomson from the No Mercy Gymnasium fights under the evergreen trainer, Gert Strydom. Thomson, who only has two fights to his credit, faced Anthony Maree from Eldorado Park in the opening encounter of the evening in a cruiserweight contest over four rounds. He is a well trained boxer and has a good future ahead of him. He won by TKO in the second round 2:13.

Thulane Mbenge successfully defended his title against Mziwoxolo Ndwayana in the South African welterweight championship title fight over twelve rounds.

Though the Eastern Cape challenger took Mbenge all the way, he was outclassed by Mbenges’ skills. Mbenge will, however, have to step up if he wants to challenge for a world title in future. He won by a unanimous point’s decision by the judges 119/108, 119/108, 119/108.

In the South African junior middleweight title fight, the champion Nkululeko Mhlongo had no significant trouble in keeping his title intact. He won by TKO in the tenth round in 53 seconds against the challenger, Brandon Thysse. The young Thysse was caught in the earlier round by a short uppercut in the ribs and had no answers against Mhlongo who had trainer Gert Strydom directing him from the corner. Thysse was thought not to have enough experience to match the champion and at times, Mhlongo was looking at referee Simon Mokadi to stop the fight. The pugilist also suggested that it had to be stopped in the earlier rounds and not proceed to round ten.

Rowan Campbell from the Smith’s gymnasium marched on to better his boxing record by four wins and just as many KO’s when he outclassed Benjamin Mhabetse in a super middleweight bout over four rounds. He won by TKO in the fourth round 1:53.

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