Buoyant Muller ready to take his chance
'The Hurricane' back on a Golden Gloves bill
One of the more telling storylines of Golden Gloves’ ultimate event of the year, December Detonation, which is set to unfold at Emperors Palace on December 19, is the return of the Hammer Gym’s Johnny Muller to a Golden Gloves fight bill.
And what a return it is for the man nicknamed The Hurricane, who will be handed a straight chance to be crowned champion once again as he’s due to face the undefeated Akani “Prime” Phuzi, who will be putting his World Boxing Association Pan African title on the line in a 10-rounder.
The bout forms part of the top four Who Will Prevail cruiserweight tournament, which also includes Lebo Mashitoa and Keaton Gomes – who has been knocked out of contention by Mashitoa – meaning the winner in the Phuzi-Muller showdown will be on a collision course with Mashitoa ahead of the final.
On the night Mashitoa beat Gomes, Phuzi was also scheduled to fight Chris Thompson before the latter pulled out – making way for Muller to step in.
Muller, who has not been on a Golden Gloves bill in over a year, said: “Wow! Being back on a Golden Gloves bill feels like a dream come true for me. It’s phenomenal. I love the feeling and I can prove to myself now so that I can stay with the best boxing promotion, Golden Gloves.
“I feel great. I have been training right through the lockdown and doing power training as well as a lot of speed work and technique to improve my boxing,” explained the 32-fight veteran.
“It will be a very interesting, full-of-action fight and I will definitely be victorious. With my almighty God with me, nothing can be difficult.”
With Phuzi going out to protect his title and perfect 11-0 record, including five knockouts, Muller’s determination to spoiling yet another man’s perfect record adds that much more excitement in this clash of the heavyweights.
The more experienced Muller 21-9-2; 14 is the only man to give International Boxing Organisation world cruiserweight champion Kevin Lerena a defeat.
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