Lerena consumed by his comeback bout

Kevin Lerena admits that he doesn’t start his mornings without thinking of Artur Mann.

That’s quite understandable.

The IBO cruiserweight champion has had a rough ride in the past nine months, first undergoing surgery on a troublesome shoulder and then having to fight a doping offence, of which he was acquitted.

Scandal- and injury-free, the 26-year-old can now fully focus on the first defence of his title against his German opponent in Saturday’s  No Mercy Box and Dine at Emperor’s Palace.

Despite his preoccupation with Mann, Lerena won’t go into the bout complacent.

“I wake up and I think of Artur Mann,” he was quoted as saying by SowetanLIVE.

“We’ve got a big fight ahead of us. My main focus is to take care of this man. At the top there are no easy fights. When people ask what I think of Artur Mann‚ I say he’s 15-0. That says enough. I’ve never been a boxer to cherrypick opponents‚ duck and dive.”

Lerena also holds out hope that a victory will increase his chances of a unification fight in future.

“God-willing we’re victorious‚ i know there’s a unification down the line for me — bigger and better things.”

But first he has to contend with an equally motivated opponent.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I can’t beat Kevin Lerena‚” said Mann.

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