The unusual locale of Azerbaijan will host the winner of Kevin Lerena versus Dmytro Kucher after promoter Rodney Berman signed the contract yesterday.
This is one of the spinoffs in line for the winner of the March 3 IBO cruiserweight championship at Emperors Palace, a result of Berman attending the WBC convention in the East European republic last year.
It ratchets up the pressure on Lerena especially – he wants to gain international renown and doing so in Eastern Europe, a hotbed for cruiserweights, is a good place to do so. What’s more, the opponent is big-punching Roman Golovashchenko (19-1, 17 KOs), who is rated second in Ukraine – after formidable countryman Oleksandr Usyk.
Based in Germany, Golovashchenko is on a 10-year winning streak, all but four of his bouts having taken place in Germany.
He is the IBO Intercontinental champion.
Azerbaijan may not rank as a major boxing venue, but the country is passionate about combat sport, eight men having won medals at Olympic Games over the years.
“At Golden Gloves we always try and do something a little differently from year to year,” explained Berman. “Azerbaijan is a remarkable country and, assuming Lerena wins in March, I expect they’ll love his fast-handed style. Very few South Africans have fought in Eastern Europe, so it’s a big opportunity for Lerena. I’m delighted at this development.”
