After a long break of over a year, South African boxer Kevin Lerena made a sensational return to the ring in Pretoria on Thursday night.
The Johannesburg-born fighter showcased his dominance with a commanding third-round stoppage of Ukraine’s Serhiy Radchenko, thrilling the local crowd at the BetSun Arena.
A Perfect Comeback for Lerena
Lerena’s performance was as aggressive as it was clinical.
Wasting no time in asserting control, he delivered a powerful and precise display that improved his professional record to 31 wins, 3 losses, and 15 knockouts.
From the opening bell, it was clear that Lerena was in charge, setting the tone for the match with a well-controlled pace and constant pressure on Radchenko.
His jab kept Radchenko at a distance, allowing him to set up explosive power shots that continuously found their target, slicing through the Ukrainian’s high guard with ease.
Radchenko, with a record of 11 wins and 8 losses (5 KOs), struggled to mount any meaningful attack in return.
Second Round Knockdowns Seal Radchenko’s Fate
The second round proved to be a turning point in the fight. Lerena unleashed a flurry of devastating left hooks, one of which forced Radchenko back into the ropes.
Another powerful shot followed, sending Radchenko crashing hard to the canvas.
Despite his resilience, Radchenko managed to get back to his feet and tried to hold on by clinching, but Lerena wasn’t letting up.
The relentless assault continued, and another knockdown followed soon after.
Radchenko’s corner, seeing their fighter in distress, allowed him to continue into the third round.
But Lerena was quick to finish the job.
A Swift End to the Bout
With just seconds into the third round, Lerena landed a precise combination that sent Radchenko down to his knees.
This time, Radchenko’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel, prompting the referee to stop the fight and declare Lerena the winner by TKO.
Lerena’s Bold Challenge to Fabio Wardley
Following the fight, Lerena made it clear he’s aiming for bigger challenges.
Standing in the ring, he issued a bold challenge to British boxer Fabio Wardley, calling for a showdown in the bridgerweight or heavyweight division.
“I want bridgerweights, heavyweights – let’s go!” Lerena shouted, prompting an uproar from the excited crowd.
Lerena’s resilience and power in the ring make him a dangerous contender once again, and after his brief yet impressive comeback, it’s clear he’s ready for another high-profile bout.
His past fight against Daniel Dubois, where he dropped the British fighter three times in the first round before being stopped himself, remains fresh in fans’ minds.
Could Kevin Lerena have what it takes to compete with the best in the world once again?
