Daniel Dubois survives THREE knockdowns to brutally KO South African Lerena

DANIEL DUBOIS survived THREE first-round knockdowns to make the first defence of his WBA (regular) heavyweight title.

Triple D returned to action on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s domestic dust-up with Derek Chisora six months after decimating Trevor Bryan to claim the belt.

1

South African Kevin Lerena was tasked with the job being his first title defence – and he made a blistering start.

The 30-year-old knocked the champion down with a vicious left hook that landed on the top of his head.

Dubois went down a further two times in the first, with his right ankle seemingly betraying him.

He survived the round, but Lerena continued to have success with his hooks in the second.

Dubois, 25, came back strong towards the end of the stanza, landing a good left hook before the bell.

Surprisingly, however, he continued to box on the back foot in the third.

Lerena was all too happy to play the role of aggressor.

But he walked straight onto a beautiful straight right that sent him crashing to the canvas.

Lerena beat the count and tried his best to recover his equilibrium.

But he was unable to survive the ensuing storm – with the referee mercifully stopping the contest.

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