South African boxer Kevin Lerena is grappling with the loss of his mother just hours before his anticipated return to the ring. Scheduled to feature on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s showdown with Francis Ngannou, Lerena faces Australian opponent Justis Huni with an extremely heavy heart.
The 31-year-old shared the devastating news on social media, expressing his grief and deep admiration for his mother’s strength. Lerena’s mother, a single parent who fought tirelessly to raise her children, passed away, leaving the boxer profoundly moved by her resilience.
In a heartfelt post on Thursday morning, Lerena wrote, “Today I lost the strongest woman I have ever known. My mom fought tirelessly as a single mom to raise us, and her strength and determination will forever inspire me.”
Despite the immense sorrow, Lerena pledged to honor his mother’s memory by proceeding with the bout. He declared, “Tomorrow night, I WILL FIGHT in your honor because you were a LION and you raised a LION. Your fight lives on in me, and I will always carry your strength with me. Rest peacefully in God’s kingdom.”
Kevin Lerena Emotional Ring Return
The boxer’s social media was flooded with condolences from fans and well-wishers, acknowledging the emotional challenge he faces in stepping into the ring under such circumstances.
Lerena’s upcoming fight against Huni follows an extensive training camp alongside Tyson Fury, where he aided the Gypsy King in preparing for his rescheduled undisputed heavyweight title bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
The interim WBC bridgerweight champion, Lerena, is determined to rebound from a third-round TKO defeat to Daniel Dubois in December 2022, ending his impressive 17-fight win streak.
As Lerena enters the ring on Friday night, his emotions will undoubtedly be raw, but his commitment to honoring his mother’s legacy will add a poignant layer to the already high-stakes matchup against Huni.
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