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Former multiple boxing world champion, Isaac “Angel” Hlatshwayo to host a boxing tournament in Limpopo.
The World Boxing Council’s Bridgerweight champion, Kevin Lerena will become the first South African to defend his WBC World title on home soil, when he fights Ukraine’s Serhiy Radchenko on the 1st of May. Lerena’s first defence of his WBC World title against the 37-year-old Radchenko will be headlined “The Reckoning” boxing tournament at the Sunbet Arena in Pretoria.
The “Reckoning” boxing tournament to be staged on the 1st of May in Pretoria will star some of the best boxers the country has ever produced. Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu, Chris “The Wolf” Thompson and Thulani “Evolution” Mbenge will feature in three of the fights that will take place during the tournament organized by Legacy Boxing promotions.
The main bout will see Kevin Lerena write his name in the history books by becoming the first South African to defend his WBC title in the country. The 32-year-old will defend his WBC Bridger weight world title against WBC silver Bridger weight champion, Serhiy Radchenko.
“I don’t predict things, but I can promise you it’s going to be an exciting fight. I will be out to defend my title with the Ukrainian out to take it from me,” says Lerena.
“First and foremost, Kevin Lerena is the first South African to hold the WBC Bridger weight title belt. The significance of the fight is that this will be the first time a South African defends their WBC title on home soil,” says Bongani Magasela, Boxing commentator.
Boxing South Africa is delighted to have a boxing tournament of this magnitude in the country featuring top fighters.
And while Lerena and Mbenge have fought abroad recently, it’s believed having them fight in the country, is a step in the right direction for the sport.
“The undercard bout is full of talent. Sonjica … he just knocked out someone a few weeks back. It means that it’s a big show that is coming to Sunbet,” says Mbenge.
Lerena was initially expected to face Radchenko in Ukraine in February. However, the bout has been rescheduled for May 1st in South Africa.
Bridger weight is a division first created by the WBC and then adopted by the WBA, though not yet by the IBF or WBO. It’s between cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Video: Boxing – Lerena WBC title defence to be staged in SA
