Title shot and big payday were too tempting for Lerena

THE prospect of stepping into the ring in front of a staggering 90000 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.

- HERMAN GIBBS

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 shutout loss over 10 rounds in their clash for the WBC silver heavyweight title.