Heavyweight contender Kevin Lerena defeated Mariusz Wach by unanimous decision Saturday night at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa. 

Scores were 120-108, 120-108, and 118-110 for Lerena, who improved to 28-1, 14 knockouts.

The southpaw Lerena, who resides in nearby Johannesburg, was at a significant height and reach disadvantage against Wach and struggled early as he was unable to get into any rhythm. 

Lerena finally got going by the third round as he began to land the more-effective punches between the two. At the midway point of the fight, Wach’s punch output dropped considerably and he was showing signs of fatigue as he fought with his mouth open to breathe in between exchanges.

As the fight continued into the second half of the fight, Lerena continued controlling the action. It was not until late in the 10th round that Lerena’s punches finally stunned Wach. Towards the end of the round, Lerena battered Wach and looked as though he was about to stop him, but the bell sounded to end the round.

Less than a minute into the 12th round, a counter left cross to the head stunned Wach, but Lerena was not able to follow up and land anything significant to put Wach down to the canvas. To his credit, despite looking exhausted, Wach fought on until the final bell sounded, where both men embraced.

Saturday marked Lerena’s third fight as a heavyweight after several years competing in the cruiserweight division, where he would win the IBO world title belt. 

Wach, who resides in Krakow, Poland, drops to 36-9, 19 KOs. The 42-year-old has lost four of his last five bouts.

Lusanda Komanisi defeated Tshifhiwa Munyai by unanimous decision in a clash between South Africa lightweights. Scores were 117-110, 115-112, and 114-113 for Komansi, who improved to 27-6, 22 KOs. The 32-year-old has now won his last six fights after losing his previous two.

Munyai drops to 35-7-1, 20 KOs. The 37-year-old entered the Komansi fight having won his previous seven fights.

In bantamweight action, Ricardo Malajika of Johannesburg improved to 9-2, 7 KOs by stopping hard-hitting Arnel Lubisi (6-5, 5 KOs) in the second round. 

The card was promoted by longtime South Africa promoter Rodney Berman.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing