Super boxing for super fans
Lerena and Muller will pave their way for yet another re-match if they win their fight on June 11.
FOUR handpicked Cruiserweights will pave their way to the finals of the Super Four Golden Gloves Promotions championship.
The Night of Reckoning, sponsored by Plan B, will take place on Saturday, June 11, at Emperors Palace when the first of the knock-out stages will kick-off. To add to the action-packed bill, Simphiwe Khonco and Siyabonga Siyo will take centre stage for their IBO mini-flyweight title fight.
Fresh from his win over Johnny Muller in April, Kevin Lerena will have a face-off against Roberto Bolonti from Argentina while Muller will take on Micki Nielsen from Denmark to kick-off the Super Four proceedings.
The limelight will then fall onto the Khonco vs Siyo IBO mini-flyweight title fight. Young Joshua Studdard will also be in action in a junior bantamweight fight.
But it will be Lerena who will come out guns blazing against Bolonti.
“There’s far more structure. Past years may have been different, but I’m now 100 per cent focused. I realise what boxing can do for me and my family,” said Lerena at the announcement of the big fight night on Wednesday, May 11.
Lerena, who had to resort to a TKO against Muller to remain the South African/WBA Pan African cruiserweight champion, will have to put on a strong show against Bolonti, who fought the likes of world champions Danny Green, Jean Pascal and Juergen Braehmer and top contenders Tony Bellew and Youri Kalenga.
The Argentinean has a 42-bout record and will be no pushover for Lerena.
“He’s tough, has fought the best in the world. For me, it’s back to the drawing board. Bolonti will be making a mistake if he thinks he’s fighting the Kevin Lerena he sees on YouTube. I’m making adjustments all the time. He’s the right sort of opponent as I move up a level. It’s all about going up and testing myself. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m confident I’ll beat anyone they put in front of me.”
Muller on the other hand said, “I am making some changes to fight Nielsen, but I am more confident and will put up a fight as there is no time to make any mistakes now,” said Muller.
Denmark’s Nielsen is the highest ranked boxer in the event, number five by the IBF and seventh by the WBO, and unbeaten in 21 starts.
But Nielsen’s local commission is taking no chances on him heading overseas for such a crucial assignment, insisting on having a presence ringside in South Africa on June 11.
There will therefore be a Dane, a South African and a neutral official doing duty on the night.
“Many big fights are handled this way,” explained promoter Rodney Berman. “I know they’ve done their homework and are concerned about fighting Johnny. They’re welcome to have their own countryman ringside.”
To book your seat contact Jeff Ellis on 078 457 3030.
