Set to defend his WBC bridgerweight crown this weekend, Kevin Lerena has issued a stark warning to Lawrence Okolie as well as promoter Frank Warren.
Receiving status as undisputed WBC bridgerweight champion at the tail end of last year, South African star, Lerena will finally clash with long-time rival, Okolie this weekend at Wembley Stadium.
And on a night which sees Oleksandr Usyk rematch Daniel Dubois, too, Lerena has vowed to steal the spotlight from the duo in his grudge fight with Hackney star, Okolie.
Kevin Lerena vows to spoil Lawrence Okolie’s homecoming despite underdog status
Seemingly up against it from the get-go ahead of his trip to the capital this weekend, Lerena had claimed he is at the peak of his powers.
And fresh from his title retention against Serhiy Radchenko earlier this year, Lerena has vowed to upset the apple cart and send Okolie packing from the immediate bridgerweight title picture.
“I know I am probably coming in here [against Okolie] as the underdog, but trust me, being the underdog, there’s no pressure on me,” Lerena told The Stomping Ground.
“I’ve got everything to gain,” Lerena continued. “And I’m coming to p— on the parade — and I’ve said that.
“I’m coming here to disrupt, and anybody who thinks I’m not in with a winning chance, well, that’s their opinion.”
And it’s not just Lerena who is confident of toppling the home town favorite, Okolie, a certain compatriot of the South African is as well.
Colin Nathan plays up chances of upset win for Kevin Lerena
Despite some tension between both Nathan and Lerena in the past amid a misconception over their training relationship, the bridgerweight kingpin had been backed to flourish nonetheless.
Tasked with handing Okolie just his second pro loss amid a two-fight run of back-to-back knockout wins, Lerena has been touted as good enough by Nathan to pose a legitimate threat to Okolie’s homecoming venture.
“Kevin must break his [Okolie’s] rhythm and range early in the fight,” Nathan told SowetanLive. “Rough him up and not allow him to set his feet, get his jab going.
“He has an outstanding chance to win this contest, and it’s the right fight for him at this stage of his career,” Nathan explained.