Kevin Lerena set for explosive WBC bridgerweight title defence against Serhiy Radchenko

South African boxing champion Kevin Lerena is ready to put it all on the line as he defends his WBC bridgerweight title for the first time against Ukraine’s Serhiy Radchenko.

The highly anticipated showdown is set to take place at the SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria this May, promising an electrifying night of world-class boxing action. 

This will be the first time the South African steps into the ring to defend his championship after Englishman Lawrence Okolie relinquished the title last year to pursue his dream of becoming a heavyweight champion.

Lerena previously held the WBC interim bridgerweight title after defeating German fighter Senad Gashi at Emperors Palace in November 2023. With Okolie moving on, Lerena was subsequently named the new champion, marking a historic moment in South African boxing as he became the country's first bridgerweight champion and only the third boxer to hold a WBC title, following Dingaan Thobela and Thulani Malinga.

Lerena will face Ukrainian fighter Radchenko, who is unbeaten in his last four fights and currently holds the Ukrainian cruiserweight and WBC Silver bridgerweight titles.

The 32-year-old South African has not been in the ring since his unsuccessful attempt at the WBO global heavyweight title, losing to Australian fighter Justis Huni by unanimous decision in March 2024 at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Lerena reveled he expects a tough challenge against an opponent that will be determined.

“I know that he’s training hard and preparing very seriously,” Lerena told Independent Media.

“I know that he’s going to come hard and try to beat me, which always makes for a tough fight, but I know what I need to do to defeat him. So, I don’t focus too much on him — rather, I focus on myself and what I need to do.”

Lerena has defended titles before, including the IBO cruiserweight title, but as this will be his first defence of the bridgerweight championship, he described the opportunity as exciting.

“It’s my very first bridgerweight defence, and I am very excited and humbled to be afforded the opportunity. I have great sponsors behind me, and to be able to fight on this platform and represent myself, as well as the brands that support me, is an honour.

“But at the end of the day, it’s my duty to be a fighter. I am a fighter, and I need to represent myself and the brands that back me.”

The former IBO cruiserweight champion will have the backing of his home crowd during the fight, and while he acknowledges the energy from the fans, he emphasised the importance of execution on the night in order to retain his title.

“I wouldn’t say fighting at home makes it easier; I think it just increases the level of support,” Lerena continued.

“A fight is a fight — when the bell rings, the crowd can cheer, but they can’t fight for me. The squared jungle is the most honest place, so it’s neither easier nor harder. When the bell goes, it’s just you and the man in front of you.”