Leading to the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney Lerio was mentored by Cuban coach Raul Liranza. Lerio lost his first and only bout in the Olympics against Rafael Lozano of Spain. His coach was dismissed from his position due to ordering Lerio to mix it up with his opponent despite leading four points with 17 seconds left in the bout.[3]
He later turned pro and was the last Filipino who competed in the Olympics to do until Mark Anthony Barriga in the mid-2010s.[4] As a professional boxer, he and his younger brother Roberto were handled by Todd Makelim. In May 2008, Lerio's record stood at 14-2-1 with four knock-outs following his one round knockout of Matt Meredith in New South Wales, Australia.[2] Danilo Lerio retired from boxing in 2012.[5]
Lerio also has an elder brother named Arlan who also competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics[3][6][2]
^"'Hands of Stone' retains title". Ang Kalatas Australia. 3 (8): 22. May 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2019. His brother Danilo Lerio, who boxed with the Philippine Olympic team in Sydney returned to campaign in Australia in 2008, retired from the professional ring last year [2012]
