Kevin Lerena is a prominent South African professional boxer who has made a name for himself in the cruiserweight and bridgerweight divisions.
Known for his resilience and technical skill, Lerena’s career has been marked by championship victories, notable fights, and a strong presence in the boxing world.
Kevin Lerena’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Lerena |
| Nickname | “The KO Kid” |
| Date of Birth | May 5, 1992 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of Birth | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Turned Pro | November 30, 2011 |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Nationality | South African |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $2 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight |
| Spouse | Geraldine Lerena |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @kevinlerena |
Married to Geraldine Lerena, he often shares glimpses of his life on Instagram, highlighting his passion for boxing and family.
Early Career
Kevin Lerena is a family-oriented individual who balances his professional boxing career with his personal life.
Kevin Lerena began his professional boxing journey on November 30, 2011, at age 19. He debuted against Justice Siliga and secured a second-round knockout victory.
Over the next four years, he built an impressive record of 12-1, earning recognition as a rising star in South African boxing.
Professional Career
Lerena’s professional career took off when he captured the International Boxing Organization (IBO) cruiserweight title in September 2017 by defeating Youri Kalenga via split decision.
He successfully defended this title six times against formidable opponents like Dmytro Kucher, Artur Mann, and Firat Arslan. Transitioning to heavyweight in 2020, he claimed the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title in 2022 by defeating Bogdan Dinu.
In October 2024, Lerena achieved another milestone by becoming the WBC bridgerweight champion after Lawrence Okolie vacated the title.
Despite setbacks such as his loss to Daniel Dubois for the WBA (Regular) heavyweight title in December 2022 and a defeat to Justis Huni in March 2024, Lerena has maintained his reputation as a skilled and determined fighter.
Wife
Kevin Lerena is married to Geraldine Lerena. The couple shares a strong bond and often appears together on social media.
Kevin Lerena’s Net Worth Details
Kevin Lerena’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. His earnings primarily come from fight purses, endorsements, and sponsorships.
Fight Purses
| Fight | Opponent | Purse Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| WBA Heavyweight Title | Daniel Dubois | $500,000 |
| WBC Bridgerweight Title | Ryad Merhy | $300,000 |
| IBO Cruiserweight Defenses | Various Opponents | $100,000 – $200,000 |
Career Records
| Fight Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2024 | Justis Huni | Loss | Unanimous Decision | Lost in a 10-round contest for the WBO Global Heavyweight title. |
| May 13, 2023 | Ryad Merhy | Win | Unanimous Decision | Defeated Merhy over 12 rounds at Emperors Palace, showcasing his skill. |
| December 3, 2022 | Daniel Dubois | Loss | TKO (Round 3) | Challenged for the WBA (Regular) Heavyweight title but was stopped in Round 3. |
| September 17, 2022 | Mariusz Wach | Win | Unanimous Decision | Outboxed the experienced Wach over 10 rounds. |
| March 26, 2022 | Bogdan Dinu | Win | KO (Round 4) | Secured the WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title with a knockout. |
| February 8, 2020 | Firat Arslan | Win | TKO (Round 6) | Defended his IBO Cruiserweight title against the veteran fighter. |
| September 21, 2019 | Sefer Seferi | Win | TKO (Round 3) | Dominated and stopped Seferi in a cruiserweight bout. |
| March 16, 2019 | Artur Mann | Win | TKO (Round 4) | Retained his IBO Cruiserweight title with an impressive stoppage. |
| March 3, 2018 | Dmytro Kucher | Win | Unanimous Decision | Successfully defended his IBO Cruiserweight title over 12 rounds. |
| September 9, 2017 | Youri Kalenga | Win | Split Decision | Won the IBO Cruiserweight title in a closely contested bout. |
FAQs
1. Who is Kevin Lerena?
Kevin Lerena is a South African professional boxer born on May 5, 1992, in Johannesburg, Gauteng. He is known for his achievements in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions and currently holds the WBC Bridgerweight title since 2024. Previously, he held the IBO Cruiserweight title from 2017 to 2021.
2. What is Kevin Lerena’s boxing record?
Kevin Lerena’s professional boxing record stands at 30 wins (14 by knockout), 3 losses, and no draws. His knockout ratio is approximately 47%, and he has fought a total of 229 rounds in his career.
3. When did Kevin Lerena start his professional boxing career?
Kevin Lerena made his professional debut on November 30, 2011, against Justice Siliga, whom he defeated via a second-round knockout. This marked the beginning of his over 13-year-long career.
4. What are some of Kevin Lerena’s career highlights?
- Winning the IBO Cruiserweight title in September 2017 by defeating Youri Kalenga.
- Successfully defending the IBO Cruiserweight title 6 times between 2017 and 2020.
- Capturing the WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title in March 2022 with a fourth-round knockout of Bogdan Dinu.
- Winning the WBC Bridgerweight title in 2024.
5. What is Kevin Lerena’s fighting style and physical attributes?
Kevin Lerena fights in a southpaw stance, favoring his left hand as his power hand. He stands at 6’1″ (185 cm) tall with a reach of 74 inches (188 cm).
6. What were Kevin Lerena’s most notable fights?
Some of his most memorable bouts include:
- His victory over Youri Kalenga for the IBO Cruiserweight title in 2017.
- A successful defense against Firat Arslan in February 2020 via a sixth-round TKO.
- His fight against Daniel Dubois for the WBA (Regular) Heavyweight title in December 2022, although he lost via TKO in the third round.
7. Has Kevin Lerena faced any setbacks in his career?
Yes, Kevin Lerena has three losses on his record:
- A unanimous decision loss to Johnny Muller early in his career in November 2014.
- A TKO loss to Daniel Dubois during their WBA (Regular) Heavyweight title fight in December 2022.
- A unanimous decision loss to Justis Huni in March 2024.
8. What titles has Kevin Lerena won during his career?
- IBO Cruiserweight Title (2017–2021).
- WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title (2022).
- WBC Bridgerweight Title (since 2024).
9. What controversies or challenges has Kevin Lerena faced?
In 2018, Lerena tested positive for a banned substance during a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association test. However, he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the IBO in February 2019.
10. What is next for Kevin Lerena?
Kevin Lerena does not have a scheduled fight. However, potential future opponents include notable names like Lawrence Okolie and Deontay Wilder.
