Kevin Lerena Confident of Knockout Win as He Prepares WBC Title Defence in Belgium

Posted : 29 May 2026

South African boxer Kevin Lerena says he is in peak condition and fully focused as he prepares to defend his WBC bridgerweight title against Ryad Merhy in Belgium this weekend. The 34-year-old completed his final training session in Johannesburg before travelling for his second title defence, where he will enter the ring on his opponent’s home ground.

Trainer Peter Smith believes Lerena is in exceptional form heading into the bout, describing the current training camp as one of the strongest of his career. He added that both Lerena’s physical condition and mental sharpness have reached an impressive level ahead of fight night.

Lerena echoed that confidence, saying he has left nothing to chance in his preparation. While acknowledging the pressure that comes with defending a world title, he said he is embracing the expectation and feels tactically ready for the challenge.

This will be the second time Lerena faces Merhy, having defeated the Belgian fighter two years ago in a title eliminator bout in South Africa. However, Lerena insists both fighters have evolved since then and expects a more difficult contest this time around.

Despite their previous meeting going the distance, Lerena says he is now targeting a stoppage victory rather than leaving the outcome in the hands of the judges. He believes his opponent may fall into familiar patterns, but says his team has prepared for multiple scenarios.

Lerena admitted that fighting away from home requires precision and discipline, adding that his mindset is firmly focused on securing a decisive win. He is one of only a few South Africans to have held a WBC title, joining an elite group in the nation’s boxing history.

His trainer also shares the belief that the fight will not last the full 12 rounds, saying the team is travelling to Belgium with the intention of dominating from start to finish.

A victory on Saturday could open the door to major opportunities in the heavyweight division for Lerena, who is eager to compete on the biggest global stages. He says success in Belgium would significantly boost his chances of securing high-profile fights.

As fight night approaches, Lerena says he is managing nerves and channeling them into motivation, insisting he is mentally locked in and ready to deliver a strong performance.

Kevin Lerena Confident of Knockout Win as He Prepares WBC Title Defence in Belgium

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