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BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The boxer who survived helicopter crash and testified at Pistorius trial
With the crushing weight of loss and grief pressing down on him, Kevin Lerena sank heavily into the couch in his dressing South African heavyweight had just gone the distance in a razor-thin contest against Australian prospect Justis Huni in Saudi Arabia. He rocked Huni in the final round but could not land the decisive most boxers, coming so agonisingly close to victory is tough to swallow. For Lerena, though, there was a sense of deep relief.A day earlier he received the devastating news that his mother had died in South Africa."I was just glad that the fight was over and I could go home and lay my mother to rest," he told BBC fact that Lerena stepped into the ring at all speaks volumes about his mental strength, but he says withdrawing was never an option."I was not at home to be with her when she suddenly passed, but I kept quiet and put on my strong armour to represent myself, my country and my family," he added."It was tough, though. It took an emotional toll on me. I'm only human and I felt it in the fight. I felt drained and fatigued."On 19 July Lerena will face Briton Lawrence Okolie at Wembley Stadium in the latest chapter in an extraordinary life full of highs, lows and true cinematic has dropped a future heavyweight world champion three times in the first round. He has walked away from a helicopter crash. And he has been a key witness in one of the most high-profile murder trials of the 21st Century. 'I gave Dubois his toughest fight' Born and raised in Johannesburg, rugby was Lerena's first passion. But when that dream faded he shifted focus to boxing and discovered a talent for 32, he has racked up 33 professional wins with three defeats and is no stranger to the big fight fans will remember Lerena for nearly pulling off a seismic upset against Daniel Dubois - the current IBF heavyweight champion - at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in was floored three times inside the first round, visibly stunned after the first knockdown and nursing what appeared to be a knee pressed forward but Dubois dropped him in the third and finished it with a barrage that forced the referee to intervene."I was fighting back but the referee stopped it," Lerena reflected."It was what it was. I can't harp on about it. In my mind, I know I gave Daniel his hardest and toughest test to date."Lerena's strong performances against Dubois and Huni raised his reputation as a credible heavyweight Fury is a fan and enlisted Lerana for sparring in the build-up to the Briton's two fights against Oleksandr Usyk. Lerena distances himself from Pistorius case Lerena could be a much bigger name if he chose to lean into the headlines his life has generated but says that is not his "style" and he would rather distance himself from his 2014 he appeared in courtroom testimony during the murder trial of Oscar testified that Pistorius was responsible for a gun being fired at a restaurant a year before the Paralympic sprint champion shot and killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp."It was a negative time. I do not want to bring negativity into my life, and I do not have any affiliation with those people," he said."What happened then during that time for Oscar and for the Steenkamp family was terrible, but it's got nothing to do with me and I don't believe in building your profile on such events."Later, Lerena mentions walking away from a helicopter crash with minor injuries in 2021, an experience which would define most but for him is just another footnote."It was a training accident. I have got my pilot licence. It's a pity because it shouldn't have happened," he said."We were doing a simulation, and the conditions were wrong and a lot was against us. But I guess if you put yourself in those situations there is always that risk." Okolie up against the 'warrior spirit' Lerena goes into the ring as the underdog against former cruiserweight world champion Okolie. A victory over the Londoner would only add to his remarkable Lerena does lose, though, it will not be for want of heart or effort."I have that warrior spirit. I always try my best to dig deep. I have not been handed a silver spoon in life and I have not been handed a silver spoon in boxing either," he Lerena is clear he wants his fists to do the talking, his life - from near-death experiences to courtroom drama - has played out like a Hollywood who would play him in a movie, Lerena picks Twilight star Taylor battles may not involve vampires or teenage angst but - outside of the ring at least - Lerena's story is every bit as dramatic.
The Irish Sun
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Incredible ringside angles of Fabio Wardley's dramatic KO of Justis Huni as Frank Warren teases Oleksandr Usyk fight
INCREDIBLE ringside footage captured the moment Fabio Wardley dramatically knocked out Justis Huni to set up a world title shot. Advertisement 3 Fabio Wardley knocked out Justis Huni Credit: Getty But the hometown hero produced the mother of all Hail Mary's to Ringside angles captured by Queensberry Promotions and DAZN revealed the The British heavyweight slipped to his left and his counter right produced a thudding sound - and down went Huni. Wardley, 30, walked away with his unbeaten record intact and a WBA interim title for his troubles. Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing It puts him in line for the belt that Oleksandr Usyk defends on July 19 at Wembley against Daniel Dubois. Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told "A big fight's happening on the 19th of July at Wembley between Usyk and Daniel Dubois. "Whoever comes away with the four belts is going to have to start to make some mandatories and all the mandatory contenders are guys we work with. Advertisement Most read in Boxing 3 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "So they're going to be pretty easy fights to make." Wardley is on the verge of going from recruitment consultant-turned-white collar boxer to genuine world title contender. Advertisement Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped eight seconds into fight But he said: "I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win. "That's one thing I had to do tonight. I should have performed better in some of the rounds. "It's not always the way it goes. Sometimes you just need to find a different way to win. So look, we pulled something out of the bag." Advertisement 3 Wardley won the WBA interim title Credit: Reuters
Scottish Sun
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Incredible ringside angles of Fabio Wardley's dramatic KO of Justis Huni as Frank Warren teases Oleksandr Usyk fight
Check out the punch stats below ON A WAR PATH Incredible ringside angles of Fabio Wardley's dramatic KO of Justis Huni as Frank Warren teases Oleksandr Usyk fight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) INCREDIBLE ringside footage captured the moment Fabio Wardley dramatically knocked out Justis Huni to set up a world title shot. Wardley was down on all the judges scorecards and behind on the punch stats after ten rounds at Ipswich's Portman Road. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Fabio Wardley knocked out Justis Huni Credit: Getty But the hometown hero produced the mother of all Hail Mary's to knock Huni out with a huge right hand. Ringside angles captured by Queensberry Promotions and DAZN revealed the brutal extent of Wardley's home run shot. The British heavyweight slipped to his left and his counter right produced a thudding sound - and down went Huni. Wardley, 30, walked away with his unbeaten record intact and a WBA interim title for his troubles. READ MORE IN boxing 'Class act' Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction moments after Fabio Wardley KO It puts him in line for the belt that Oleksandr Usyk defends on July 19 at Wembley against Daniel Dubois. Wardley's promoter Frank Warren told Boxing News: "No rush for anything, he's secured his position with the WBA. "A big fight's happening on the 19th of July at Wembley between Usyk and Daniel Dubois. "Whoever comes away with the four belts is going to have to start to make some mandatories and all the mandatory contenders are guys we work with. 3 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "So they're going to be pretty easy fights to make." Wardley is on the verge of going from recruitment consultant-turned-white collar boxer to genuine world title contender. Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped eight seconds into fight But he said: "I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win. "That's one thing I had to do tonight. I should have performed better in some of the rounds. "It's not always the way it goes. Sometimes you just need to find a different way to win. So look, we pulled something out of the bag."
The Sun
08-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Justis Huni's incredible dressing room reaction just moments after Fabio Wardley's comeback KO
JUSTIS HUNI was praised for his incredible reaction just moments after being knocked out by Fabio Wardley. The Aussie took the bout on just five weeks notice after controversial American Jarrell Miller pulled out injured. And Huni was on the way to well and truly ruining Wardley's Ipswich homecoming after racking up a lead ten rounds into the bout. But just as all hope looked to be lost for the hometown hero - Wardley produced a Hail Mary right hand to turn the fight on its head. Huni was gracious in defeat - as revealed by amazing backstage dressing room footage captured by Matchroom Boxing. Hugging a family member, the beaten heavyweight said: "S*** happens, you know. I will come back, just bounce back. "We just keep our head up and bounce back. It is what it is. Head up team, head up! We bounce back, it's boxing." Fans hailed humble Huni in the comments as one said: "Class act this chap very respectful throughout." Another added: "Gained a lot of supporters - not just by the way be boxed, but also the way he conducted himself afterward. Big respect." A third said: "Lovely guy, he'll be back." 3 Huni, 26, was ahead on all the scorecards having thrown and landed more shots throughout. But the punch that mattered the most was the massive right hand from Wardley, 30, that closed the show in dramatic fashion. Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped eight seconds into fight The former recruitment consultant-turned-white collar boxer remained unbeaten and won himself the WBA interim title. Wardley said: "I don't profess to be any kind of Usyk or Justis Huni - someone with all the skills. "But one thing I do know is how to win fights, dig deep, find a bit of heart, bite down on the gumshield, find a way to win. "That's one thing I had to do tonight. I should have performed better in some of the rounds. "It's not always the way it goes. Sometimes you just need to find a different way to win. So look, we pulled something out of the bag." 3
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie boxer's furious manager is set to lodge formal complaint with the WBA following shock KO defeat by Fabio Wardley
Fabio Wardley produced a sensational right hand to send Australian boxer Justis Huni crashing to the canvas on Saturday night in front of 20,000 fans at Portman Road. The 26-year-old Queenslander had been in control for much of the fight, and was ahead on the judges' scorecards, but appeared to over-stretch his right arm during the 10th round, allowing Wardley to snipe a huge right-hand hook across the temple of his opponent. The blow sent him crashing to the ground and ended his unbeaten fight streak, with Wardley securing the win and a potential shot at the winner of Daniel Dubois ' fight with Oleksandr Usyk. However, Fox Sports Australia are reporting Huni's team are furious at the result. They claim English referee John Latham had not given the Aussie fighter a proper 10 count. Mr Lathan had appeared to stoop down to Huni who lay with his back to the floor and began to issue the count. However, he then called the fight before he reached 10 seconds. Huni's manager, Mick Francis, vented his frustrations after the bout and revealed he had even voiced his complaints to Eddie Hearnm, adding he'd be issuing a complaint to the WBA immediately. He told the Matchroom promoter: 'You haven't heard the last of this.' He added: 'He just waved it off. 'I'm lodging a protest with the WBA. 'I've already spoken to Eddie Hearn and Spencer (Brown) and they agreed. 'It's a f***ing world title, not some fight in the park. 'And they didn't give Justis Huni the correct opportunity.' He noted that while Huni had been hit by a good shot in the 10th round, he believed he hadn't been given a fair chance to continue. 'Justis wasn't wobbly when he got to his feet. 'Yes, he got hit with a good shot. 'And if he'd had enough, fair enough. 'But Justis was putting on a boxing clinic. 'They were looking for any opportunity to give this fight to Wardley.' Despite the loss, Huni had produced an excellent performance to keep Wardley quiet for most of the fight, which he had only accepted five weeks ago. Scorecards had shown that the Australian was up 89-82 on two of the judges' scorecards, while the third had given him the fight 88-83 after 10 rounds. However, Huni wasn't letting the brutal punch get to him after the fight. The Aussie star, whose record now drops to 12-1 following his first defeat, managed to give fans a smile and shrugged off the loss, saying: 'That's my curse. 'I even said before this fight that it only takes one split second to switch off,' Huni said. 'And it happened tonight. 'Credit to Fabio and his team, I'm grateful for the opportunity. 'He's a real champion. 'Get behind him because he's doing good things.' The humble Australian added: 'He's just an awesome fighter man. 'He never gave up and he got the win tonight. Credit to Fabio.' Wardley also admitted he had struggled across some of the early rounds. 'Look, Justis Huni is a great operator,' he said 'But no matter what, I'm going to be aggravated with myself because we'd been through everything over and over again – knew the game down to a 't' – and I should've gone better in some of those rounds. 'But that's how it goes.
