Kevin Lerena’s final preparations for his heavyweight fight on Friday against Justis Huni have been disrupted by the death of his mother.
Lerena (30-2, 14KOs) posted an emotional tribute on social media ahead of Thursday’s weigh-in – in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will still fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou.
“Today I lost the strongest woman I have ever known,” He wrote. “My mom fought tirelessly as a single mom to raise us, and her strength and determination will forever inspire me. Even in her final moments, she fought until the very end. She fought with all her might. Mom, I love you.
“I will carry on your warrior spirit. Tomorrow night, I will fight in your honour because you were a lion and you raised a lion. Your fight lives on in me, and I will always carry your strength with me. Rest peacefully in God’s kingdom.”
The record of Australia’s Huni reads 8-0; 4KOs. Lerena, from South Africa, dropped Daniel Dubois three times in the opening round of their fight in December 2022 before being stopped. He won his two fights since then.