Kevin Lerena ‘truly humbled’ by SA Sportsman of the Year nomination ahead of Sun City gala

Kevin Lerena, a former world champion, is humbled by his SA Sportsman of the Year nomination ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony at Sun City. The 34-year-old power-puncher expressed gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging that he still has much to offer and feels like he has just begun his journey. Lerena's nomination marks a significant milestone in his career, coming after a year filled with accomplishments.

In 2025, he became the first South African boxer to successfully defend a WBC world championship title, overcoming Ukrainian Serhiy Radchenko in the third round. Following his dominant defence, Lerena ventured into the heavyweight division, where he faced Lawrence Okolie for the WBC Silver Heavyweight title, ultimately suffering a competitive 10-round points decision loss.

Beyond his remarkable achievements inside the ring, Lerena made notable strides in the industry by co-launching Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP), which staged four highly successful events broadcast live on SuperSport. However, the South African contender recently faced a setback when he lost his WBC bridgerweight title to Belgian rival Ryad Merhy.

This defeat prompted Lerena to make a career shift, returning to the cruiserweight division with a strict 90.7kg limit. He confirmed his official comeback date for November 7 in Sandton and has been diligently working in the gym to shed the necessary weight for his return. Lerena recently shared a video documenting a grueling 48-minute training session, expressing his determination and focus on shedding weight.

As he prepares for his comeback, Lerena is humbled by the SA Sportsman of the Year nomination and proud of his progress over the past 15 years. He emphasized that the year 2025 was special, a year he will never forget. Heading into the South African Sports Awards, Lerena is grateful for the support he has received and remains hungry for greatness.

He reassured fans that the journey is far from over, stating, "Once again, thank you to everyone who has stood by me & supported me. The journey is far from finished. 15 years deep—still hungry & still chasing greatness. Let's go."