South African boxing star Kevin “Two Guns” Lerena is quietly rebuilding his reputation on the international stage as he sets his sights on becoming a world champion once again.
The 34-year-old Johannesburg-born boxer strengthened his position in the cruiserweight division after defeating Scotland’s Scott Forrest by unanimous decision at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
Lerena secured the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International Cruiserweight title after the judges scored the 10-round contest 97-92, 97-92 and 98-91 in his favour.
Although the victory was not an easy ride, Lerena’s experience, patience and technical ability proved decisive. He knocked Forrest down in the ninth and final rounds but was unable to secure a stoppage.
The victory marked an important step in his ambition to reclaim a major world championship.
“I want to become world champion one more time,” Lerena said before the fight, underlining his determination to return to the top of the sport.
A career built on determination
Lerena’s boxing journey is particularly remarkable because he did not follow the conventional route through amateur boxing. He began training at the age of 14 and turned professional at 18.
He made his professional debut on 30 November 2011, defeating Justice Siliga by technical knockout.
His progress was steady, and in 2015 he captured the South African cruiserweight championship before reaching another milestone in 2017 when he won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) cruiserweight world title.
Lerena went on to defend the IBO title successfully several times, establishing himself among the country’s most accomplished professional boxers.
His career later took him into the heavyweight division, where he faced Britain’s Daniel Dubois in a WBA heavyweight world title contest in December 2022.
Despite knocking Dubois down three times early in the fight, Lerena ultimately lost by technical knockout, demonstrating the unforgiving nature of championship boxing.
He subsequently moved to the bridgerweight division, where he won the WBC world championship, adding another major achievement to his career.
However, he lost the bridgerweight title to Belgium’s Ryad Merhy in May 2026, prompting another change in direction.
The road back to world championship glory
Lerena’s return to cruiserweight represents a fresh chapter in his career.
After spending six years away from the division, he underwent a demanding weight-loss programme to return to the 90.7kg limit and compete against familiar opposition.
His victory over Forrest has now positioned him for another potential world-title opportunity. He is ranked sixth in the WBC cruiserweight division, according to reports published ahead of his latest fight.
The WBC International title does not make him the reigning world champion in that division, but it provides an important platform from which to pursue a bigger prize.
Lerena has made it clear that his ambitions remain high. Rather than resting on his previous achievements, he is working towards another opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize in professional boxing.
With experience across cruiserweight, heavyweight and bridgerweight, the South African has demonstrated resilience and an ability to adapt to different challenges.
His latest victory has reopened the door to another world championship campaign. Whether he can convert that opportunity into another major title will depend on his next fights, his ranking and the opportunities that emerge in a competitive cruiserweight division.
For now, Lerena has taken another important step towards his goal of becoming a world champion again.