logo
Kevin Lerena after Serhiy Radchenko knockout victory: 'I can beat anyone'

Kevin Lerena after Serhiy Radchenko knockout victory: 'I can beat anyone'

IOL News02-05-2025

DOMINANT Kevin Lerena triumphed with a dominant knockout victory over Serhiy Radchenko in Pretoria, defending his WBC Bridgerweight title and hinting at another big fight ahead. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Following his knockout victory over Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko in his WBC Bridgerweight title defence in Pretoria on Thursday, South Africa's Kevin Lerena says there's another big fight on the horizon.
Lerena dominated his opponent from the second round in the fight titled The Reckoning organised by Legacy Boxing, when he floored Radchenko three times. To Radchenko's credit, though, he got back up every time, even after he was strewn flat on his back the second time he was knocked down.
At a packed Sunbet Arena at Time Square, though, Lerena showed no mercy, in the third round, he let loose once more and this time when Radchenko fell to the canvas, his camp threw in the towel.
In the lead-up to the fight, the 32-year-old Lerena talked up his ability, saying he was a 'different beast' and this his victory would be guaranteed, and he backed up those fighting words on the night.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Siya Kolisi welcomes new talent to Springboks squad with open arms
Siya Kolisi welcomes new talent to Springboks squad with open arms

IOL News

time2 hours ago

  • IOL News

Siya Kolisi welcomes new talent to Springboks squad with open arms

NEW ERA Springbok captain Siya Kolisi warmly welcomes new talent like Ntokozo Makhaza to the squad as they work towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, highlighting the importance of grassroots talent. Picture: Alche Greef/BackpagePix As the Springboks begin their road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in earnest, it's meant that coach Rassie Erasmus has cast the net wide as he hopes to harness all the talent in SA rugby at the moment. It's meant that a player like Ntokozo Makhaza has been included in the Springbok squad for the upcoming internationals. The backline player Makhaza is not a professional rugby player, but is the all-time top points scorer in the Varsity with the University of Cape Town. The 23-year-old is the perfect example of a player who will likely not feature soon for the Boks, but could well be a contender for the 2027 squad. Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi welcomed additions like Makhaza to the team.

Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start
Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start

IOL News

time2 days ago

  • IOL News

Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start

Ricardo Duarttee brought loads of experience and his trademark trickery to the Springbok Sevens 'A' side in Mauritius at the weekend. Image: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix The Springbok Sevens 'A' side slowly warmed to their task in the pool stage of the Rugby Africa Sevens at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on Saturday, with victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso. The South Africans began the tournament with a 17-5 victory over Nigeria's Black Stallions in a scrappy, error-strewn opening match where they struggled to find their rhythm or assert themselves on their opponents. It took one moment of brilliance – a dummy pass from the energetic Ricardo Duarttee, or 'Tricky Ricky' – to send Joel Leotlela over in the right-hand corner for the only score of the first half. Flyer Sebastiaan Jobb had an almost immediate impact off the bench in the second stanza, his converted try after 11 minutes stretching SA's lead to 12-0. Personal goals and team objectives will need to combine if South Africa want positive results at the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius this weekend - more here: 👊#PoweredByUnity #Blitzboks — Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 20, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Nigerians hit back two minutes later to reduce the lead to 12-5. It was no more than their endeavour deserved, even if they were guilty of schoolboy handling errors at times. Masande Mtshali had the final say for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side. He dotted down in the right-hand corner after some good inter-passing as the favourites seemed to have finally woken from their slumber. There would be no further additions to the scoreline but Philip Snyman's charges will have been left with plenty to ponder going into the second match of the tournament. The South Africans started the second pool match against Zambia far better than the first, a foot in touch denying Grant de Jager the early score. But a few minutes later, they made the most of turnover ball on the Zambian tryline for Joubert Schoeman to score. The Zambians levelled the score at 7-7. But their joy was short-lived, after Schoeman rose high and collected the ball off the kick-off to canter over the whitewash. The game seemed headed for a thrilling second half after Zambia fought back to draw level again before half-time (14-14). However, the class of the South Africans finally told. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed great strength, shrugging off tackles and powering over the line as the Springbok Sevens 'A' side eventually ran out 33-14 winners. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed off all his skills for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side on the opening day of the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers

Lood de Jager: It is good to be back with the Springboks
Lood de Jager: It is good to be back with the Springboks

IOL News

time2 days ago

  • IOL News

Lood de Jager: It is good to be back with the Springboks

Lock Lood de Jager is back in the Springbok set-up and ready to contribute after an injury-enforced absence of almost two years. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix After nearly two years in the Test rugby wilderness due to various injuries, World Cup winner Lood de Jager is set to resume his Springbok rugby career imminently. Included in the Bok squad for the mid-year matches against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia, De Jager is scheduled to play his first match in about 23 months as early as next Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town. The 32-year-old lock has been training with the squad for the last two weeks in Johannesburg ahead of the match. Despite missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to a heart condition and then picking up a shoulder injury that kept him out for nine months, the lineout guru is ready for the challenge ahead. 🗣️"Its the first time since 2019 that the 4 locks who played in the 2019 World Cup win are all back in the squad!" 🤩 Which is the best Springbok lock pairing in your opinion: 🏉Eben Etzebeth 🏉Lood de Jager 🏉RG Snyman 🏉Franco Mostert@EbenEtzebeth @FrancoMostert #Springboks — Betway ZA (@Betway_za) June 19, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'It's good to be back,' an elated De Jager said about being with the Boks. 'It was tough to be on the outside (while injured), but I had my family and kids to keep me occupied so that I didn't overthink things. 'The biggest thing for me (while away) was that I felt I could still contribute to the team. 'It was just to get healthy and my body right. That was my biggest motivation: to get back here. 'The easy part (coming back) was being with good friends again, seeing the guys and training with them. 'It is great talking about old stories with them. 'There is a lot of depth at lock at the moment, and Ruan (Nortjé) stepped up nicely last season against the All Blacks with that injury crisis. 'Things are now very competitive for that lock position. We push each other, and it's a great thing.' 'It's just a really spicy thing, a lekker thing to look forward to' 🗣 Rassie Erasmus reflects on his @Barbarian_FC memories as the #Springboks get set for a historic Cape Town clash 🇿🇦 Tickets from R950 behind the poles. Get yours from @TicketmasterZA :… — Springboks (@Springboks) June 20, 2025 De Jager believes that playing in Japan helped him keep his body fresh and get back to playing at a top level. He pointed out that the season in the Japanese Top League, where he plays for the Saitama Wild Knights, is spaced out so that they have enough rest weekends. In the same breath, he said the league has grown significantly and is very competitive. With the Boks set to play 14 matches this year, De Jager was asked which one he is looking forward to taking part in. His answer was short and sweet. 'The next one,' the lock said with a laugh. #Springbok Assistant Coach Tony Brown reflects on another intense and hardworking training camp — laying the foundation for what's to come. 💪🇿🇦#StrongerTogether #Springboks #TonyBrown — Springboks (@Springboks) June 19, 2025 For someone who played for the Boks the last time they faced the All Blacks in 2023 at the Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, it is understandable. However, he is happy to bide his time and fall into the plans of Bok guru Rassie Erasmus and his assistant coaches. 'Rassie has a great plan for the year and how it pans out. You want to be involved in every Test match, because it is big,' De Jager said. 'We have some big ones coming up, especially against New Zealand away and France and Ireland.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store