After making South African boxing history, competing in front of 90,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium and launching a new platform for local fighters, Kevin Lerena has been nominated for Sportsman of the Year at the 19th annual South African Sport Awards.
South African boxer Kevin Lerena has been named a nominee for Sportsman of the Year at the 19th annual South African Sport Awards following a defining year both inside and outside the ring.
The former IBO cruiserweight world champion and WBC bridgerweight world champion made history in 2025 when he became the first South African boxer to successfully defend a WBC world title. He achieved the milestone in front of 7,600 supporters on home soil.
“To be recognised among South Africa’s finest sportsmen is an honour in itself,” says Lerena.
Later that year, Lerena stepped up to the heavyweight division and travelled to London to challenge for the WBC Heavyweight Silver Title at Wembley Stadium.
Competing in front of approximately 90,000 spectators on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Lerena took the fight the distance before losing on points.
“I dared to challenge myself on one of the biggest stages in world boxing,” he says. “I have always believed that if you want to find out how far you can go, you have to be prepared to take those opportunities.”
While Lerena’s performances in the ring strengthened his standing in international boxing, his work outside it marked the beginning of an important new chapter.
Creating opportunities for South African fighters
In 2025, Lerena launched Aquila Boxing Promotions with the aim of creating more opportunities for South African boxers and helping grow the sport locally.
During its first year, Aquila Boxing Promotions staged four events. Each event sold out and was broadcast live on SuperSport.
“Boxing has given me so much,” says Lerena. “I wanted to create something that could give back to the sport and, importantly, provide another platform for South African fighters.”
The move into promotion has seen Lerena balance the demands of his own professional boxing career with the responsibility of helping other fighters gain experience, exposure and access to major events.
“Through Aquila Boxing Promotions, we have been able to give athletes opportunities they may not otherwise have had,” he says. “For me, that is probably the greatest achievement of all.”
Success beyond the result
Lerena’s Sportsman of the Year nomination recognises a year in which he successfully defended a world championship, tested himself in the heavyweight division at Wembley Stadium and began building a platform for the next generation of South African boxing talent.
He credits the people around him for helping make those achievements possible.
“My team has been with me through everything. My lifelong trainer Peter Smith, my boxing management team, my PR team, our sponsors and partners, Boxing South Africa, my business partners at Aquila Boxing Promotions and everyone who shares this vision with us have all played a role.”
Lerena also acknowledges the sacrifices made by his family throughout his career.
“My wife and children make sacrifices alongside me every single day,” he says. “People see the fight nights and the big moments, but there is a huge amount that happens behind the scenes to make those moments possible.”
He also paid tribute to the “Lerena Army”, the supporters who have followed his career through different weight divisions, world-title fights, victories and setbacks.
“To everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, I am forever grateful.”
The next chapter
Lerena remains focused on his ambitions as an active fighter, but his influence on South African boxing is increasingly extending beyond his own career.
Through Aquila Boxing Promotions, he is using the experience, profile and relationships built during his time in the sport to open doors for other fighters.
Whatever the outcome when the South African Sport Awards are presented on 23 August, Lerena regards 2025 as one of the most important years of his career.
“Of course, I am proud of the titles and the fights. I am proud that I was willing to challenge myself. But being able to start giving something back to South African boxing means just as much to me.
“This sport changed my life. If I can help it change somebody else’s life too, then we have achieved something worthwhile.”