Latest news with #AquilaBoxingPromotions
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kevin Lerena champions rising SA boxing stars with ‘Fistic Havoc' event
GROWING THE SPORT Kevin Lerena's 'Fistic Havoc' event in Sandton aims to promote South African boxing talent, featuring a headline fight between Boyd Allen and Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL Lerena explained how he aimed to grow boxing in the country with events like these. Lerena was last in action in May when he defeated Serhiy Radchenko in the WBC Bridgerweight title fight, and now 'Two Guns' is helping organise a major boxing event with Aquila Boxing Promotions. The headline fight on Saturday will see SA's ex-MMA star Boyd Allen taking on Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi for the IBO All Africa Title. As Kevin Lerena puts his gloves in the cupboard this weekend, it's with the goal of promoting the next generation of South African boxers as the ' Fistic Havoc ' takes centre stage in Sandton. Aquila Boxing Promotions: Nurturing Talent and Leading South Africa's Boxing Scene 'It's great to provide an opportunity for 16 more fighters to focus their talent. And this is what boxing is all about. Creating talent, creating platforms and creating growth,' Lerena told IOL in an exclusive interview. As for the Allen v Bagwesi fight, Lerena said: 'It's a tough fight for both fighters. You know, you've got a technically sound boxer and then you've got an aggressive southpaw, so they're going to clash centre ring.' 'It's a hard matchup for both, but that's what we want to do at Aquila Boxing Promotions, which is put on exciting, tough matchups. 'We're creating a platform for fighters and we soon want to be the leaders of boxing promotions within the country. And that's our goal. We're looking to be the leading promoter within the sport in South Africa.' With Boxing SA also represented at the pre-fight press conference on Tuesday with new CEO Tsholofelo Lejaka in attendance, Lerena said he was working closely with the governing body. 'Boxing South Africa realises the vision and the vision that we have and they back the vision because at the end of the day boxing wins. 'The fighters win, and overall everybody wins. So it's a good relationship, a good strategic partnership with both Boxing South Africa and the broadcasters.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tsholofelo Lejaka aims to restore respect and trust in Boxing SA
AIMING FOR CHANGE Tsholofelo Lejaka, newly-appointed Boxing South Africa CEO, aims to restore respect and trust in the sport through strategic reforms, sponsor engagement, and implementing resolutions from the 2025 Boxing Convention. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL Lejaka said events like these help provide an income for rising boxing stars in South Africa. The event will be organised by Aquila Boxing Promotions, with IBO Bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena giving his gloves a rest as he turns to promoting on Saturday. Lejaka was speaking in Johannesburg on Tuesday, ahead of the ' Fistic Havoc ' boxing event headlined by Boyd Allen in his ABI All Africa Title fight against Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi this weekend in Sandton. Newly-appointed Boxing South Africa (BSA) CEO, Tsholofelo Lejaka , has outlined an ambitious roadmap for the future of the sport in South Africa, with the chief aim being restoring respect in the organisation. The Drive to Restore Confidence in South African Boxing 'Boxing is ultimately about competition,' Lejaka told IOL in an exclusive interview. 'We can do all that we do in the office, administration, governance and regulatory activities but this is an opportunity for boxers to earn a living. This is an opportunity for our fans to get to see the type of product we are about. This is an opportunity for us to onboard our sponsors and give them mileage for the money they put into the sport. 'Thanks to SuperSport's continued support, we're taking live boxing into homes across the country.' Restoring confidence in SA boxing, however, remained the biggest challenge and goal for Lejaka. 'I want to see the sport of boxing being respected and being trusted. You know it's not a nice thing when people say hey but with you guys I'm not sure if you are a bankable sport because just now things can go south again. 'So that's what I want to see in terms of measurable and tangible things. I want to see us having onboarded sponsors that have been confident enough to brand associate with us because they know that this sport if you associate with it is not going to be embarrassing you any time soon by having negativity again.' Lejaka praised South African world champion Kevin Lerena, who currently holds the WBC bridge-weight title, for his professionalism both in and out of the ring. 'Kevin's story is one many can emulate. He's planning smartly for life beyond boxing and has a strong support structure, including his wife Geraldine, who plays an active role in promoting his career. He embodies what we want from our champions,' Lejaka said. With Lejaka reappointed to the role last week, which he held from 2016 to 2020, he said implementing resolutions from the 2025 Boxing Convention held in February would be his first order of business. 'There's a lot of work that has been spelled out by that convention which we need to prioritise. 'We need to address the financial plight of Boxing South Africa. One by collecting money that is owed to Boxing South Africa. Two by ensuring that Boxing South Africa spends prudently. Three by onboarding new sponsors for Boxing South Africa, what we call revenue generation.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA champion Kevin Lerena returns to boxing ring against Lawrence Okolie on Dubois-Usyk II undercard
Kevin Lerena Kevin Lerena was in fine form as he beat Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko in the third round of their WBC bridgerweight title fight. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Kevin Lerena is preparing for his return to the ring on July 19, where he will face Lawrence Okolie as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated Daniel Dubois v Oleksandr Usyk rematch at Wembley Stadium in London. Currently holding the WBC bridgerweight championship, Lerena comes into the fight with an impressive record of 31 victories, three defeats and 15 knockouts (31-3, 15 KOs). The South African southpaw returns to action following a recent successful defence of his title against Ukraine's Serhiy Radchenko, whom he stopped just 16 seconds into the third round by knockout. Lerena and Okolie have been on a collision course for quite some time, and now their long-awaited meeting will finally take place. British boxer Okolie, who brings a professional record of 21 wins, one loss, and 16 knockouts (21-1, 16 KOs), previously held the bridgerweight title before relinquishing it to pursue his ambitions in the heavyweight division. Their respective journeys have run alongside each other in recent years. Lerena originally held the interim bridgerweight belt before being elevated to full champion status, while Okolie opted to make the jump to heavyweight competition. With the WBC Silver Heavyweight title now at stake, both fighters will be aiming to improve their positions in the highly competitive heavyweight rankings. Lerena is also widely remembered for his 2022 bout against main-card headliner Dubois, where he managed to knock down the Briton three times before ultimately losing in the third round. That performance earned Lerena considerable respect, and his return to the UK offers another chance to prove himself against elite-level opponents. The Lerena v Okolie match-up stands out as one of the more compelling contests on what is already a talent-filled fight card, with both boxers eager to advance towards a world title opportunity in the heavyweight division. Lerena's recent activity is part of a growing surge in South African boxing. Following their success just over a month ago, Aquila Boxing Promotions is set to host another major event, featuring Boyd Allen facing Botswana's Kagiso Bagwasi for the All Africa Super Welterweight title later this month. Bagwasi enters the bout undefeated in his professional career, while Allen, who previously competed in MMA, is eager to make his mark in boxing. With a mixed martial arts record of 16-6-1, Allen has transitioned well into boxing, where he holds a record of 8 wins, one loss and one draw (8-1-1).
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Boyd Allen: Transitioning from MMA Star to IBO All Africa Boxing Contender
GOING FOR GLORY Boyd Allen (right), former MMA star, aims for IBO All Africa boxing glory against undefeated Kagiso Bagwasi at South Africa's 'Fistic Havoc' event on 21 June. Picture supplied. While fans remember Allen for his MMA dominance — boasting a 16-6-1 record during his EFC reign — his pivot to boxing in 2018 was never a side project. Headlining this high-octane event is a Super Welterweight war for the IBO All Africa Title, a compelling continental clash between South Africa's Boyd Allen and Botswana's unbeaten southpaw threat, Kagiso Bagwasi. Lerena will be leaving his boxing gloves at home for this event as the ambassador for Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP). Following The Reckoning in Pretoria last month, which saw Kevin Lerena defend his WBC bridgerweight title , the stage is now set for another big boxing event in South Africa when the 'Fistic Havoc' event takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre on June 21. Boyd's Journey: From Grit to Glory in the African Boxing Arena 'Boyd's story is exactly the kind of journey we want to spotlight,' said Lerena. 'He didn't walk in expecting shortcuts. He started from scratch, took risks, and built his boxing career brick by brick.' Since making his professional debut in October 2018, he has compiled a record of eight wins, one loss, and one draw, with notable victories that highlight his evolution from striker to structured, thinking boxer. He snatched the WBA Pan African title in just his third pro bout — a statement of intent — and has only grown sharper since. Now, standing between him and the IBO All Africa gold is Kagiso Bagwasi, a slick, powerful fighter from Botswana with an unblemished 6-0 record and a 50% Knock-Out (KO) rate. Bagwasi's recent first-round demolition of South African powerhouse Almighty Moyo turned heads across the region and confirmed what insiders already knew — the kid can punch, and he comes to finish. But for Aquila Boxing Promotions, it's also about the bigger picture. 'We're beyond grateful to have powerhouse partners in our corner — the kind that don't just support the vision, they supercharge it,' said Lerena. 'Massive thanks to my sponsors: World Sports Betting, Tigris Wealth, Supersport, JCP Steel, and HP. Without your backing, this event wouldn't be the premier, high-calibre showcase it is today. You don't just elevate the event — you define it. 'South African boxing has the talent, the heart, the legacy. What it needs is infrastructure, consistency, and belief. That's what ABP is committed to delivering.' IOL Sport
