Kevin Lerena champions rising SA boxing stars with ‘Fistic Havoc’ event
GROWING THE SPORT Kevin Lerena’s ‘Fistic Havoc’ event in Sandton aims to promote South African boxing talent, featuring a headline fight between Boyd Allen and Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
As Kevin Lerena puts his gloves in the cupboard this weekend, it’s with the goal of promoting the next generation of South African boxers as the ‘Fistic Havoc’ takes centre stage in Sandton.
The headline fight on Saturday will see SA’s ex-MMA star Boyd Allen taking on Botswana’s Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title.
Lerena was last in action in May when he defeated Serhiy Radchenko in the WBC Bridgerweight title fight, and now ‘Two Guns’ is helping organise a major boxing event with Aquila Boxing Promotions.
Lerena explained how he aimed to grow boxing in the country with events like these.
Aquila Boxing Promotions: Nurturing Talent and Leading South Africa’s Boxing Scene
“It's great to provide an opportunity for 16 more fighters to focus their talent. And this is what boxing is all about. Creating talent, creating platforms and creating growth,” Lerena told IOL in an exclusive interview.
As for the Allen v Bagwesi fight, Lerena said: “It's a tough fight for both fighters. You know, you've got a technically sound boxer and then you've got an aggressive southpaw, so they're going to clash centre ring.”
“It's a hard matchup for both, but that's what we want to do at Aquila Boxing Promotions, which is put on exciting, tough matchups.
“We're creating a platform for fighters and we soon want to be the leaders of boxing promotions within the country. And that's our goal. We're looking to be the leading promoter within the sport in South Africa.”
With Boxing SA also represented at the pre-fight press conference on Tuesday with new CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka in attendance, Lerena said he was working closely with the governing body.
“Boxing South Africa realises the vision and the vision that we have and they back the vision because at the end of the day boxing wins.
“The fighters win, and overall everybody wins. So it's a good relationship, a good strategic partnership with both Boxing South Africa and the broadcasters.”