Johnny Muller is back in the ring, and this time, things are different.
After two years out, he’s returning with a renewed focus and a hunger to rewrite his story. “I never reached my goal before because I never had discipline,” Muller admits candidly. “I used to enjoy boxing but was out on the jol on fight week. Now, I don’t want to miss a single day of training.”
Known for having faced tough opponents like Kevin Lerena and Mateusz Masternak, Muller’s past was marked by raw talent occasionally eclipsed by a lack of focus. “I started making money, wasting it and my talent,” he says. “But I’ve matured. These past two years, I realised I’ve been blessed with a lot of talent.”
Boxing is more than just a profession for him; it’s a passion. “My son is now 18, and by that stage, I had already won four South African amateur championships. I want to be a good example to him and my wife.”
The transformation goes beyond mindset. Fitness once a struggle, Muller now walks around at a trim 99kg, with a resting heart rate of 48 beats per minute, a far cry from the dangerous 117kg he once weighed. “It took me seven months to get here, but I’m good now.”
Reflecting on his earlier days, he says, “Trainer Uncle Harold would get me a fight and I’d train like an animal, but my diet and conditioning were never right. After every fight, win or lose, I’d slip back into an undisciplined, small-boy mentality.”
His admiration for stars like Oleksandr Usyk (whom he fought 10 years ago) and Artur Beterbiev who return immediately to training is clear. “I want to progress and I’m happy to do so under the radar.”
He’s looking at bridgerweight, but heavyweight too, especially after discussions with Rodney Berman about the looming “Heavyweight Explosion”.
Muller’s comeback is also fuelled by his fierce desire to prove that maturity and discipline can unlock even greater success. He believes his best fights still lie ahead. With world championship aspirations, the “Hurricane” is poised to make waves again, blending the old fire with new wisdom.
