It has been a lesson in discipline, sacrifice, resilience and, most importantly, learning to get back up when things do not go according to plan.
Now, the part-time paramedic is returning to cruiserweight to face Scotland’ s Scott Forrest in a 10-round WBC bout at the Sandton Convention Centre on 7 November.
Ahead of the fight, Lerena tells InBound that boxing has shaped his character and perspective far beyond the ring.
“ It’ s shaped me a lot,” Lerena says.“ It’ s taught me a lot about character, made me a better human being, and taught me how to deal with losses, you know, literally and figuratively, in all aspects of life. It’ s definitely made me the man that I am today.”
The former champion has experienced major highs, but also his share of setbacks. For Lerena, defeat is not the end of the story. It is another lesson.
His biggest lesson in resilience is simple: never give up.
“ As cliché as it sounds, pick yourself up off the canvas and dust yourself off, and keep moving forward,” he says.
That mentality will be tested again on 7 November.
While training, discipline, and preparation are non-negotiable, another ingredient keeps Lerena motivated: the fans.
“ Just hearing the crowd chant