South African boxer Kevin Lerena and Lawrence Okolie will finally meet as they are scheduled to test each other’s fistic skills at the Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Saturday, 19 July.
Lerena and Okolie, who was born in Hackney, England, to Nigerian parents, are set to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver heavyweight title on the undercard of Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk’s fight against Daniel Dubois from England.
Initially, Lerena and Okolie were supposed to have met in a WBC bridgerweight title fight last year. But Okolie decided to vacate the title and moved up to the heavyweight division.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity. This is a massive fight because we both campaign in the same division. We are gonna go for the heavyweight gold, a co-main event in front of 96 000 people. This is what boxing is about,” Lerena, who’s the reigning WBC bridgerweight champion, remarked.
Lerena will carry a fight record of 31 victories with 15 knockouts and three losses to the duel against Okolie, who has 21 wins, 16 stoppages and a loss.
Meanwhile, Lerena’s fight against Okolie has forced Aquila Boxing Promotions to postpone the Friday, 18 July, tournament pencilled for The Galleria in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The tournament has since been rescheduled for Friday, 1 August, at the same venue. And there’s no change in the line-up of boxers who are going to fight in the tournament. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
This is a great spectacle and exposure for SA boxing and i think it will also create opportunities for for SA boxers. Go Kevin go.