South Africa’s Kevin Lerena Outclasses Senad Gashi to Become WBC Interim Bridgerweight Champion

• Kevin Lerena became the new WBC Interim Bridgerweight champion after beating Senad Gashi
• Lerena dominated the fight from start to end and knocked Gashi down to the canvas in round 12
• South Africa's Lerena will fight the winner of Lukasz Rozanski and Badou Jack for the main title

Kevin Lerena is the new WBC Interim Bridgerweight champion of the world.

He is now a co-champion alongside Lukasz Rozanski.

Two Guns put on a performance to remember as he outclassed Senad Gashi in their main event at Emperor’s Palace, Gauteng.

The South African went into the fight as the favourite, and he proved why with a flawless performance against the German boxer.

Lerena outboxed his opponent, landing significant blows in every round.

As the fight wore on, Gashi looked less and less willing to trade blows with the South African and, at times, tried to complain to the referee that Lerena was hitting him with illegal blows.

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Ironically, Gashi threw more than one low blow and landed blows with his head, but Lerena didn’t let it phase him as he continued to push forward.

Despite the numerous warnings, by the 11th round, the referee didn’t punish Gashi with a points deduction, but Two Guns did with his punches.

Gashi punished for repeated low blows

He finally had a point deducted in the final round when he hit Lerena with another low blow.

The South African made him pay for it by knocking him down to the canvas with seconds remaining in the round.

When all 12 rounds were said and done, the judges all scored the fight in favour of the South African and new WBC Bridgerweight co-champion, Lerena. He now becomes the third South African to hold a WBC world title.

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Kevin Lerena aimed to emulate some of his famous countrymen by winning a world boxing championship.

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Two Guns fought Senad Gashi at Emperor’s Palace, as he looked to win the WBC’s Interim Bridgerweight title.

Sports Brief looks at six boxers from the country who have won world titles, and which boxer holds them now.