Justis Huni Survives Last Round Scare To Outpoint Kevin Lerena In Riyadh

South African Kevin Lerena exhibited immense courage by stepping into the ring against Australian Justis Huni just 48 hours after the death of his mother.

Despite giving up size, Lerena has proven competitive as a heavyweight. In 2022, he faced Daniel Dubois for the WBA regular Heavyweight Title. Lerena showcased his power with a left hook that destabilised his opponent early on, though Dubois eventually claimed victory in the third round.

Lerena's bout against Huni demonstrated his resilience again, particularly in the 10th round, when he had Huni in trouble. However, ultimately, the decision favoured Huni, with scores that reflected a closely contested fight, albeit with one judge's score appearing overly generous to Huni.

Lerena, now with a record of 30-3 (14 KOs), contemplates his future in boxing, considering a potential focus on the Bridgerweight division, where he remains the interim champion. 

Established by the WBC in 2020, this division offers Lerena opportunities to compete closer to his natural weight against opponents of similar size.

 Despite the allure of potentially larger purses in the heavyweight division, the challenges and the recent losses as the B-side contender might prompt a strategic pivot to bridge weight, where the competitive landscape might be more favourable. 

The recent period has been marked by significant personal loss for Lerena, who emphasised that his mother's death did not influence his performance in Riyadh but was a tribute to her memory, underscoring his professional dedication amidst personal grief.