By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: Aquilla Boxing Promotions.
Kevin Lerena returns on the 7th of November with far more than a fight ahead of him.
“The Return” could be the beginning of another world title run, and perhaps the turning point of a career that has already taken him through three divisions and onto the world stage.
At the Sandton Convention Centre, the former world champion steps back into the cruiserweight division against Scotland’s Scott Forrest in the main event of ABP’s “Knockout Chaos 3: The Return”.
The card which will be broadcast live on SuperSport, represents a significant night for Lerena. At 34, he is moving back to the division where he established himself as a world champion and where he believes he still has unfinished business.
“I’m rated number five in the WBC, so the next step with them would be fighting for a world title. But I’ve got to get a win, got to come off a win,” Lerena said. That is the immediate objective.
Lerena is coming off a difficult 12 round defeat to Ryad Merhy in May, when the Belgian took his WBC bridgerweight title on the judges’ scorecards. The loss brought an end to his time at bridgerweight and convinced him that cruiserweight, capped at 90.7kg, is where he wants to make his next assault on the world stage.
He has been working down from around 97kg. “Going down to cruiserweight is a return to a division where I spent a very long time,” Lerena said. “I reigned as world champion there for a couple of years, and it’s a massive goal of mine to go back down and make the weight.”
He added: “I’m currently at 96.9kg, effectively 97kg, so the weight is coming off. I’m in a good space, mentally positive, and physically ready.”
Forrest presents a serious first test. Born in Johannesburg but representing Scotland, he brings an accomplished amateur background into the 10 -round contest, having competed for Team GB and Scotland, appeared at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018 and represented his country at the world championships. He was also a nine -time Scottish amateur champion before turning professional.
The co -main event has a different flavour altogether. Jarred “Mr Hollywood” Silverman and fan favourite, SD Pypers, Stephanus Daniel Pypers, finally get to settle a rivalry that has been building for months.
Their bout was originally scheduled for July before Pypers suffered an orbital blow out fracture during sparring. The contracts were subsequently signed and the bad blood has survived the delay.
Silverman called Pypers out and neither fighter was shy with the microphone. Pypers brings youth, explosiveness and a reputation for power, while Silverman has the greater experience as a professional campaigner.
Then there’s the rest of a card designed to keep the action moving. Some of the action will include unbeaten Gary Van Staden who faces John Bopape, Jason Medi takes on Douglas Ntounta, while Donjuan Van Heerden meets Aubin Ndala.
For Lerena, though, everything comes back to that first bell.
He has already been a world champion. He has fought at heavyweight. He has experienced the frustration of losing a title and the uncertainty that follows it.
Now he wants another run. “It’s difficult, but it just takes discipline,” Lerena said of the weight cut. It’s just about discipline, adjusting training, changing the environment and making the necessary shifts.”
His ambition has not diminished with age. “I truly believe I’ve got another strong three to four years in my prime,” he said. “I don’t want to box forever, but for now, I’m excited. I want to become a three- time world champion.”
On 7 November, “The Return” begins. And for Lerena, the route back to a world title starts with ten rounds in Sandton.