In a pretty left-field move, former boxer Kevin “The KO Kid” Lerena has joined the Sharks squad and looks set for game time in the Vodacom Cup.
Yes, yes, I know… the 1st of April was yesterday and I’m conscious of the fact that this story seems even less plausible than the one Warren came up with as an April Fools joke. Details regarding Lerena’s rugby career at junior level are sketchy indeed; all we know is that he attended King Edwards in Johannesburg and played a bit of junior ruby for the Lions before opting to chuck it all in, in favour of a career as a cruiserweight boxer. Lerena is undefeated in six fights, five of those by knock-out.
Exactly how and why the big inside centre ended up returning to rugby and moreover pulling off a deal with the Sharks is a mystery indeed. I’m told the lad is something of a “physical freak” and assuming he’s still eligible to play under 21 rugby (which he may be), could fill a bit of a gap in the number 12 jersey for that side.
We await further details regarding the move and exactly what the future plans are for Kevin. For the time being, though, we know he’s training with both the Super Rugby and Vodacom Cup squads and expect to see him given a shot at game time in the near future. Welcome to Durban, Kevin. Let’s hope it all works out.
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Have no idea, but he is a KO to look at! LOL
He looks the part. Let’s give him a chance and see what he can do.
I think it will be a great move…Sharks have lots of young talent at 13 at the moment which is great; but to me we looking a bit thin at 12 in terms of the classic ball carrying 12. Frans Steyn is the only guy who really gets us over the advantage line from 12, we need another coming through.
Keen to see how he does.
@JJR (Comment 3) : you not concerned that he really doesn’t appear to have any rugby pedigree?
Seriously? 😯
Good luck to him – takes brass balls. But it will be a tough road.
Well if SBW and Quade Cooper can stroll into the boxing ring, the same could be true for boxers strolling onto the rugby field. 😉
I have serious doubts about the credibility of this guy’s claim, starting with the blatant way he has Photoshopped his face onto my matric year book photo… 😆
@Culling Song (Comment 7) :
Is that so?…you obviously had too much whisky on the weekend.
@Pokkel (Comment 8) :
“Cocaine is a helluva drug”
http://www.kingedwardschool.co.za/Content/NewsItem.aspx?id=896
interesting read
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : @Big Fish (Comment 9) : What in the name of all that is pure and holy are you two on about…?
@Big Fish (Comment 9) : 🙄 ❓
Time for a match up with SBW – this kid can at least box, he would take SBW out
@robdylan (Comment 4) : I don’t think The Sharks would have contracted him if they didn’t think he could offer them something…especially if it is a guy who has not played Rugga in 2 years…Sharks must see something in him.
@JJR (Comment 14) : I’m not sure they’ve contracted him yet. It might be a trial.
Details are very sketchy
@Pokkel (Comment 12) :
You clearly dont know Rick James. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 15) : So i guess we will see what happens…
@Big Fish (Comment 16) : What’s the name of the comedian who does all the Rick James riffs? David something?
@Culling Song (Comment 18) :
Dave Chapelle. He are brilliant.
Cool. So now we can have a 3N boxing contest with Lerena, Cooper and Williams. 😆