Wembley title shot, and a hefty payday, were too good to turn down for outclassed Kevin Lerena

IOL News

15 hours ago

Kevin Lerena, pictured during his bout with Lawrence Okolie at Wembley, endured a punishing points defeat but retained his WBC bridgerweight title. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The prospect of stepping into the ring in front of a staggering 90 000 fans at the famous Wembley Stadium, on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk–Daniel Dubois showstopper, must have been an irresistible opportunity for South African boxer Kevin Lerena.
The allure of such a grand occasion — coupled with the chance to showcase his skills on a monumental stage — likely played a major role in his decision to accept the fight.
However, the challenge posed by British heavyweight Lawrence Okolie, who boasts an impressive record of 21 wins and just one defeat, proved to be a daunting one. Many questioned the wisdom of Lerena's camp in taking the bout, especially given Okolie's proven pedigree in the ring.
As the contest unfolded, it became evident that Lerena faced an uphill battle. In a disappointing outcome for the 33-year-old, he suffered a comprehensive shut-out loss over 10 rounds in their clash for the WBC silver heavyweight title.
Okolie dominated the fight, with the judges scoring it emphatically in his favour: 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91. The decisive verdict underlined Okolie's superiority and highlighted Lerena's struggles to find his rhythm against the rangy Brit.
The result sees Lerena's professional record slip to 31 wins, 4 defeats, and 15 knockouts. Despite the setback, there was some consolation for the South African, who walked away with a significant payday from the Wembley bout.
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Importantly, Lerena still holds the prestigious WBC bridgerweight world title — a reminder of his capabilities and remaining potential in the sport. This loss may yet serve as a valuable learning experience as he looks to regroup and refine his approach for future challenges.
In the headline act, Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his place among boxing's all-time greats with a commanding fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois. The win confirmed Usyk's status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk, 38, produced a boxing masterclass, overwhelming Dubois with footwork, timing, and clinical precision. From the opening bell, he dictated the pace, leaving the British challenger struggling to assert himself.
In the decisive fifth round, Usyk landed a punishing combination that floored Dubois for the first time. Though the Brit managed to beat the count, he had little time to recover before another heavy shot sent him down again — this time for good — as the referee reached ten.
The performance solidified Usyk's legacy and denied Dubois the chance to become the first British fighter to unify the heavyweight division in the four-belt era.