Kevin Lerena, the reigning WBC bridgerweight champion, has officially thrown his hat into the ring to face Jake Paul. Fresh off Paul's eight-round victory over 58-year-old Mike Tyson, Lerena sees an opportunity for both fighters to benefit from a high-profile clash. The South African believes this fight could bring massive attention to the relatively new bridgerweight division, established in 2020.
Lerena, currently training in Malta as part of Tyson Fury's camp, expressed respect for Paul’s dedication to the sport. "Jake’s been putting in the work, and you have to commend him for bringing fans to boxing. But if he wants legitimacy, I'm offering a shot at my WBC title," said Lerena. He added that while Paul might benefit from such a fight, Lerena himself would secure the biggest payday of his career.
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The fight, if made, would mark a significant step up for Paul. Lerena emphasized that this wouldn’t be a circus act but a legitimate world title fight. "He’s a big enough star to draw attention, and I bring the credibility of being a world champion. It’s a win-win. Should he lose, it’s to a legitimate fighter. If he wins, he proves he’s the real deal," Lerena stated.
Lerena also addressed concerns about Paul’s WBC ranking, which could complicate sanctioning the bout. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman previously indicated that Paul might enter the rankings following his fight with Tyson, making the fight more feasible. "There are guys in bridgerweight Jake could beat. I think he deserves a spot in the rankings," Lerena noted.
Beyond the potential Paul fight, Lerena sees this as a chance to elevate the bridgerweight division. "This division needs big fights to gain traction. A clash with Jake Paul would bring massive attention to bridgerweight. It’s about making meaningful fights that put this division on the map," he concluded.
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