Coetzee and Lerena put everything on the line

02 July 2015 - 02:06 By Bongani Magasela

The breathlessly awaited showdown between Deon Coetzee and Kevin Lerena, which is scheduled for July 30 at Emperors Palace, will not be for the faint-hearted, trainer Nick Durandt has warned. Durandt said it was not because there was animosity between the two young fighters, but because neither fighter could afford to lose. A loss could be very detrimental to their careers, but especially Lerena's. The boxer must redeem himself after losing to Johnny Muller.Victory for this muscleman fighter will undoubtedly convince promoter Rodney Berman that the 23-year-old left-hander is a long-term investment.But Durandt gives Lerena no chance against his charge, who will bid for the first defence of his South African cruiserweight belt, which he won in November last year."Obviously, this bout will be competitive, but there will only be one winner and that is Deon," said Durandt, who was nicknamed "Mthakathi" (The Wizard) because the careers of most boxers who bolt his stable go on a downward spiral.Added Durandt: "Kevin comes fit and fully prepared to fight. I know his capabilities as much as I know his weaknesses."Durandt once trained Lerena, who is now trained byformer top fighter Peter Smith. Lerena joined Peter after parting ways with Sean Smith (Peter's younger brother) after his defeat by Muller.Coetzee - the nephew of former WBA heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee - is quoted as saying: "There are two things you can't have - my wife and belt."But Lerena was not shaken by Coetzee's threats. Instead, he warned the champion not to read much into his loss to Muller. "I am a changed fighter completely. Now, I bring a different dimension to the game," he warned...

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