Kevin Lerena emphasises the dangers and demands of boxing as he prepares for a WBC Bridgerweight World Title rematch against Ryad Merhy in Belgium, highlighting his relentless training as a mark of respect for the sport in which you can die. Seen here: Kevin Lerena (l), trainer Peter Smith (r). Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
As Kevin Lerena prepares to defend his WBC Bridgerweight World Title defence next month, the southpaw has explained that his relentless work ethic is rooted in a deep respect for the dangers and demands of the sport.
Lerena faces Ryad Merhy on May 30, in Belgium.
It’s an opponent he’s faced and beaten before, as Lerena is also coming off a loss in his previous fight.
The defeat was against Lawrence Okolie in London in September, but it was in the heavier division in the WBC Silver Heavyweight.
In the Bridgerweight division though, Lerena is the reigning champion, having last defended the title against Ukrainian Serhiy Radchenko in May last year in Pretoria.
“I'm training like I’m broke. But that's just my mentality. Boxing is the hardest sport in the world and I believe one of the most dangerous,” said Lerena.
“And by me training my hardest, it means I respect my craft.
“If you don't train hard, if you cut corners, you don't respect it. A sport where I can die … for the entertainment of others, I respect it.”
Now against Merhy, Lerena will face the Belgian on his home turf. In fact, the pair met back in 2023 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.
Still, the fact that boxers put everything on the line was a point Lerena made sure to drive home.
“You don't die in wrestling, very few in MMA, guys die in boxing.
“I respect this sport so much and I respect fighters and trainers and those that have walked the path.”
“So that's why I train so hard. Because I respect the sport, I respect my trainer. It’s disrespectful not to give your best. If a guy beats me on the night, it's either because I had a bad night or he was much better than me.”
Over the weekend, Lerena was also in London to watch his personal friend and former World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury return to the ring against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Lerena often speaks of his relationship with Fury and has even posted videos of the pair sparring together in the past.
Such a close connection with such a big name also put Lerena in a position to explain what separates the very best fighters in the world.
“But at the top, everybody trains hard, so we've got to take that training hard into skill now. And that's what separates the elite from the good, from the very good, from the average.
“So I respect the sport so much. And the sport itself has done so much for me. So it would be a sin for me not to train hard.”