Kevin ‘The K O Kid’ Lerena.
Photo by Gallo Images
DESPITE being elevated to the second spot in the latest
World Boxing Organisation’s (WBO) cruiserweight rankings, Mzansi boxing golden
boy Kevin “The
K O Kid” Lerena, is not in a hurry to challenge for the world
title.
The highly rated Lerena has stepped up from fifth position to the second spot of WBO rankings, which brings him closer to a title held by Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian professional boxer who has held the WBO cruiserweight title since last year.
Lerena is second behind former WBO Youth and current WBO
International cruiserweight champion, Noel Gevor.
His mentor, Peter Smith, believes the hard-hitting
fighter needs to fight more credible opponents, which will give him more
experience.
“I’m happy for him. Although we are top-rated, we’re not
in a hurry to challenge for the world title,” said Smith.
“The champion is willing to fight Lerena on a good deal,
but we want to build him by fighting top contenders, so that we can negotiate
better financial rewards.
“South Africa has a pull of good boxers, but they’re not
groomed to be real contenders. They’re champions, but don’t last on the
international stage,” he said.
The 24-year-old rising star is due to fight in the US on
14 April.
He has a golden opportunity to make an incredible first
impression on the US
hard-to-please public.
hard-to-please public.
The former WBC Youth Silver cruiserweight champion has
displayed a sensational performance, winning all his three fights, including
being crowned the Super Four Cruiserweight king.
He gave the then unbeaten Danish prospect, Micki
Nielsen, his first taste of defeat lift the super Four belt.
The talented southpaw opens this year’s account by
blowing away Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro in fifth round to improve his record to
17 victories and a single defeat.
