Fresh off a resounding victory to clinch the WBC bridgerweight title, Lukasz Rozanski finds himself thrust into negotiations for his next potential bout. The WBC has mandated Rozanski to commence discussions with South Africa’s Kevin Lerena for an ordered title defense. The sanctioning body has granted both sides a free negotiations period to reach terms before resorting to a purse bid.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman officially signaled the start of negotiations in a letter, stating, “Serve this letter as the beginning of the free negotiations period for the fight between WBC Bridgerweight Champion Lukasz Rozanski and WBC Bridgerweight Silver Champion Kevin Lerena.” Should no agreement be reached, a purse bid is scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the WBC Headquarters office in Mexico City.
Poland’s Rozanski (15-0, 14 KOs), repped by Andrew Wasilewski’s KnockOut Promotions, recently claimed the nascent WBC bridgerweight crown with a sensational first-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Alen Babic. Rozanski’s swift 130-second blitzing of Babic, a bout secured after KO Promotions outbid Matchroom Boxing for promotional rights, took place in Rozanski's Rzeszow hometown on April 22nd. If this new bout goes to a purse bid hearing, Rozanski can expect a favorable 60-40 split.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg’s Kevin Lerena (29-2, 14 KOs), fighting under Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves Promotions, is stepping into his first major title fight, having recently been declared the mandatory challenger. The 31-year-old southpaw clinched his position with a unanimous decision victory over former WBA ‘Regular’ cruiserweight titleholder Ryad Merhy on May 13 in Kempton Park, South Africa. This win marked Lerena’s comeback after a contentious third-round stoppage by WBA ‘Regular’ heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois last December, ending his eighteen-fight winning streak since 2015.