Boxing South Africa (BSA) chief executive officer Tsholofelo Lejaka has urged Kevin Lerena and his team to walk tall after the boxer lost his World Boxing Council (WBC) bridgerweight title to Ivorian-born Belgian Ryad Merhy early on Sunday morning, South African time.
Led by his trainer Peter Smith, the 34-year-old Lerena, who is a former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) cruiserweight titlist, was trying to successfully defend the WBC title for the second time.
“Kevin, Peter and the team put up a good show and did us proud on the world stage. It was not the result we hoped for, but such is the nature of this sport of gladiators where courage is measured not only in victory, but in the willingness to step into the arena and give one’s all. Kevin did exactly that and he did so with the heart of a true South African warrior,” Lejaka remarked.
Lejaka added: “We have no doubt in our minds that they will retreat, restrategise and bounce back even stronger. Setbacks are not stop signs, they are the soil from which great comebacks grow. We remain immensely proud of Kevin and stand resolutely by his side as he surely rises again from this moment.
“Boxing South Africa reassures the team and the nation that it remains committed to supporting its athletes through every chapter of their journey in triumph and in trial. To Kevin, coach Peter and every member of the team, South Africa salutes you. The best chapters are still to be written.”
