Daniel Dubois’ opponent Kevin Lerena has opened up on his “crazy story” of being shot by Oscar Pistorius.
Lerena challenges WBA heavyweight champ Dubois on Saturday on the undercard of Tyson Fury's clash with Derek Chisora and Pistorius accidentally fired a pal’s pistol, wounding him in the toe, nine years ago. The incident happened in a Johannesburg restaurant, just weeks before the double-amputee athlete fatally shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013.
Lerena recounted the incident when he testified in Pistorius’ trial a year later and said he was left with a cut toe when the Olympian fired off one bullet underneath the restaurant table. The South African claimed in court that Pistorius tried to get his friend to take the blame for the accident because he was worried it would damage his reputation.
Lerena, 30, says he is no longer close to Pistorius and was keen to stress the incident is firmly in the past.
“Yeah, that was a crazy story, but it’s in the past,” he said. “Being in court and all that, it’s very hard for me to talk on those matters, but, yeah, there was a situation, there was an incident, but those are things of the past now.
“Long ago, we were acquaintances in the same circle. We just had friends in common. We don’t talk about that, we’re here for boxing, that’s the most important thing.”
Lerena, who is 28-1-0, is giving away four inches in height to the 6ft 5ins Dubois, but is adamant he can beat the WBA regular champion in his first title defence.
“The job ahead of me is a big one and I don’t underestimate Daniel Dubois for one minute,” he said.
“But I’ve come here with a gameplan, I’m not here to roll over, I’m no stepping stone. I’ve beaten bigger men before and I’ve come here to be the WBA world champion.”
Dubois, 25, is in line for a crack at WBA Super champ Oleksandr Usyk and the conqueror of Anthony Joshua will be ringside at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Yet Dubois insists he is only thinking about Lerena and successfully defending his belt.
“I don’t know when I’ll fight Usyk,” said the Greenwich slugger. “All I know is that on Saturday, I have a guy in my way and I’ve got to destroy him to get to that level.
“I’m just focused on that. That’s all that is on my mind. It’s kill or be killed.”
Dubois is back fighting in his native London for the first time since he suffered his only pro loss to Joe Joyce two years ago and says it is satisfying to return as the WBA champion.
“I’ve improved a lot since then and now is my time to go out there and become a full world champion,” he said.
“Like everything in life, you have to be strong and come through all the tough moments.
“It’s going to be amazing, a good atmosphere with the world watching. It’s a hell of a night and I can’t wait to be part of it. It’s going to be mental.”
