KEVIN "KO Kid" Lerena is young and charismatic but he has the potential to get South African boxing buzzing.
Even veteran boxing promoter Rodney Berman sees a glimmer of hope in the 22-year-old WBF Africa junior heavyweight champion.
Lerena, a hard-hitting left-hander, has just rejoined Berman's Golden Gloves Promotions.
Guided by Sean Smith in Johannesburg, Lerena will be in action on August 9 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park against Argentinian Marcos Antonio Ahumada over 10 rounds.
This will be Lerena's comeback fight under Berman since they renewed their vows last month. Lerena will face the 24-year-old Ahumada, who has an impressive record of 14 wins, with 10 KOs against two defeats. Their non-title bout will form part of the programme dubbed "Silver Salvo".
Topping the bill will be Ryno "Lion" Liebenberg against Russian Denis Grachev for the vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight belt. Berman is quoted in his company's website as saying: "He [Kevin] needs to do the business at Emperors Palace next month. There will be a bit of ring rust after a few months out, but I've no doubt he'll get back on track quickly."
The 71-year-old Berman has seen young fighters come and go, but he sees something special in Lerena.
Lerena said: "I hope to do my best to make boxing exciting by knocking my opponents out. It has been eight months since I last laced on boxing gloves. I'm very excited about my upcoming fight.
"Gratitude to Golden Gloves for this opportunity as well as my manager Sean Smith."
Lerena laces his gloves again
KEVIN "KO Kid" Lerena is young and charismatic but he has the potential to get South African boxing buzzing.
Even veteran boxing promoter Rodney Berman sees a glimmer of hope in the 22-year-old WBF Africa junior heavyweight champion.
Lerena, a hard-hitting left-hander, has just rejoined Berman's Golden Gloves Promotions.
Guided by Sean Smith in Johannesburg, Lerena will be in action on August 9 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park against Argentinian Marcos Antonio Ahumada over 10 rounds.
This will be Lerena's comeback fight under Berman since they renewed their vows last month. Lerena will face the 24-year-old Ahumada, who has an impressive record of 14 wins, with 10 KOs against two defeats. Their non-title bout will form part of the programme dubbed "Silver Salvo".
Topping the bill will be Ryno "Lion" Liebenberg against Russian Denis Grachev for the vacant WBC Silver light heavyweight belt. Berman is quoted in his company's website as saying: "He [Kevin] needs to do the business at Emperors Palace next month. There will be a bit of ring rust after a few months out, but I've no doubt he'll get back on track quickly."
The 71-year-old Berman has seen young fighters come and go, but he sees something special in Lerena.
Lerena said: "I hope to do my best to make boxing exciting by knocking my opponents out. It has been eight months since I last laced on boxing gloves. I'm very excited about my upcoming fight.
"Gratitude to Golden Gloves for this opportunity as well as my manager Sean Smith."