SA boxing will be in the world spotlight this weekend when its two world champions, Phumelela Cafu and Kevin Lerena, are involved in career-defining bouts in the US and England.
Cafu will unify his WBO junior-bantamweight title against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez’s WBC and Ring crowns at The Ford Centre at the Star in Frisco on Sunday morning (SA time), while Lerena will face Lawrence Okolie for the WBC silver heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday night.
The two are the only recognised world champions in SA, with Lerena holding the WBC title in the newly-introduced bridgerweight division, though he will move up to the heavyweight division to contest for the sanctioning body’s B-grade belt.
The fact that the bout will be part of the world undisputed heavyweight title clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will give Lerena extra motivation to go for broke to boost his chances of facing the winner.
Lerena’s last visit to England ended in controversial circumstances when he dropped Dubois three times before running out of gas to succumb to a third-round stoppage loss.
Having rebounded to win the bridgerweight title when Okolie vacated it instead of honouring his mandatory defence against him, Lerena is tipped to finally corner the Englishman, who is still trying to find his feet in the glamour division.
“I was supposed to face Okolie for the WBC bridgerweight title, but he ducked out of the fight,” Lerena said.
“Now I am facing him for a bigger prize, which is the heavyweight honour, so I expect him to man up.”
A few hours later, it will be Cafu’s moment to upset the odds stacked against him when he clashes against the home favourite for three of the world titles in the junior-bantamweight division.
Some have questioned Rodriguez’s decision to schedule a fight against WBA champion Fernando Martinez in November when he has Cafu to contend with.
But Cafu said that had given him extra motivation to upset such plans by beating the 25-year-old American.
“I am upsetting their November plans, and who knows what will happen afterwards?
“I could end up being the one facing Martinez but my focus is on Bam for now.
“Anything else will follow but I know my life will change forever after I beat Bam.”
BSA chief executive Tsholofelo Lejaka wished the two boxers luck, saying their quest to fly the SA boxing flag on the world stage did not go unnoticed.
“SA boxing is behind Cafu and Lerena as they engage in such big fights abroad and we could not be prouder for them shining the light on our sport,” he said.
“We wish all the best as they showcase the depth of our sport to the world.
“On a weekend celebrating Mandela Day, BSA sends the Madiba Magic to both boxers to bring victory back home to mark the 67 minutes of service.”
Daily Dispatch
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