No substitute for experience

The cruiserweights will slug it out for the World Boxing Federation intercontinental title as part of the “Electric Storm” bill put together by Real Steel Promotions at the University of Pretoria on June 6.

Bruwer is a wily veteran, having featured in 30 outings, while Lerena is still relatively untested in all of nine bouts in the paid ranks and it’s that fact that has “Billy the Kid’s” handler in a confident mood.

“I haven’t seen Daniel this committed for a fight in a long time,” trainer Nick Durandt said at his Melrose gym yesterday as Bruwer went through his paces before adding that Lerena hasn’t met an opponent as tough as his charge.

“Kevin is a good kid, but who has he fought? Have I been asleep for the last two weeks and all of a sudden I’ve woken up and Kevin’s now got a career? He’s never been in deep water. He’s never been busted up and pushed,” Durandt said.

“I’m not underestimating him for one minute. He’s a youngster who is going to come with the belief in his heart, but he’s never been in with a guy like this,” he said, motioning to Bruwer.

“With this guy you hit him and he spits on to the canvas and tells you to come at him again. He’s tough,” added Durandt.

“His team believes this is a test for him, but let me tell you this is a proper test. They’re so sure of knocking Daniel out, but this is a guy who picks himself off the canvas and knocks people out,” he said of Bruwer who has held the South African light-heavyweight and cruiserweight titles in a career that started back in 2003.

Of Bruwer’s 30 fights, he has been victorious in 24 – 21 via stoppage, and has lost five and drawn one.

Lerena, who turned professional in 2011, is unbeaten in nine having stopped six of his outings inside the distance.