If Johnny Muller has ever been afraid of a fighter, he’s never let on.
Nothing seems to faze the 25-year-old who has been in with bangers like Oleksandr Usyk and Tshepang Mohale.
On Saturday he stares down another bruiser in the shape of Micki Nielsen, a heavy-handed Dane who has designs of his own on the “Super Four” cruiserweight title.
Nielsen has left nothing to chance. He arrived in SA a fortnight ago and has polished his fight game to the point where trainer Joey Gamache believes he is in tip-top shape.
Nielsen is the top seed based both on his world ranking and unbeaten status. Muller thus faces the hardest prospect on Saturday, although he fancies his chances.
“Training has gone well; I’ve worked very hard. Nielsen is a very good fighter, which makes me want to win even more. I couldn’t fight in the Super 8 tournament a few years ago, so this is my chance, especially as there is big money on offer,” he said.
“Nielsen is more of a counter-puncher. He’s also a southpaw, which suits me. My chief sparring partner for years was Tommy Oosthuizen and I’ve faced left-handers in most of my recent fights. The fact that Nielsen is bringing his ‘own’ judge doesn’t trouble me. I’m going to work very hard from the start. I hear Nielsen has had weight issues and has had to drop a few kilos, so I’ll work my way to a stoppage later on.”
Despite his youth, Muller is at a perilous moment in his career. He is coming off back-to-back losses. Another defeat could see him relegated to journeyman status, a situation no self-regarding boxer ever wants to face.
Ironically, he was winning a nip-and-tuck battle with Kevin Lerena when he walked into a big shot, forcing the stoppage.
It still burns Muller; it was a small error that proved catastrophic.
“I know I lost concentration in my last fight, which cost me badly, but my trainer, Harold Volbrecht, has worked hard on this aspect. I have to make up for it, and I will.”
Given his relish for a good scrap, Muller will always give his all. Nielsen may be the favourite, but he’s been warned.
