WBC Eliminator Merhy-Lerena on May 13 in South Africa

Ryad Merhy
Ryad Merhy

On May 13, Kempton Park will host a qualifying fight for the WBC world title in the bridge weight between Ryad Merhy (31-1, 26 KOs) and Kevin Lerena (28-2, 14 KOs). Previously, this fight was planned for the second half of April.

The winner of the fight will become the official contender for the World Boxing Council championship belt in the weight category up to 101 kg. On April 22, as part of the Knockout Boxing Night 27 in Rzeszow, Poland, Alen Babic and Lukasz Ruzhansky will fight for the vacant WBC title in this weight category.

In the fall, Merhy left the regular WBA cruiserweight belt vacant and announced that he was moving up to a heavier weight category. In his last appearance, Lerena lost to Daniel Dubois for the WBA regular heavyweight belt.