Golden Gloves Brawl: All set for Muller vs Lerena II
Johnny Muller and Kevin Lerena will headline the next Golden Gloves Brawl for it All segment, in a rematch at Emperors Palace, for the WBA Pan African and SA Cruiserweight titles.
The event, which Golden Gloves will present in conjunction with the Palace and Supersport, will take place on Sunday, April 24, and will feature eight gripping bouts.
Muller (19-5-2), the only boxer to defeat Lerena, is well aware that he’ll be facing a much-improved ”KO Kid” and will not take him lightly.
“I’m training hard for the fight,” said the man known as ”The Hurricane” in the boxing fraternity.
“I’m not quitting before I win this fight; we can go for as much as 100 rounds and I will go on until I win,” he insisted.
Lerena, who lost the reverse match-up between the two almost two years ago, said he won’t let emotions from his loss distract him from getting one over The Hurricane and completing revenge.
“Nothing is personal for me, it’s not a grudge match; this is boxing and we’re both professionals, that’s why I’m also training hard. The day I stop training hard is the day I retire.
“I hate losing more than I like winning,” he explained.
The two men in the corners of the fighters also had their say, with Peter Smith making a daring prediction in Lerena’s favour.
“You’ll see a different Kevin,” said the trainer.
“Both are great for the sport, that’s what makes this fight so big. We have a good plan for Johnny. I don’t see Johnny making 12 rounds.”
Smith’s opposite, Harold Volbrecht, refused to be drawn into making a clear prediction and, instead, sat on the fence.
Asked for a prediction, he said: “It’s going to be a great fight. Johnny is training hard, it’s going to be exciting. It’s what people want to see.”
With reputation on the linefor both fighters and trainers, along with the two titles and personal pride, Muller v Lerena II promises to better part one.
Full card:
JNR middleweight – four rounds: Sterling Shaw vs TBA
Bantamweight – four rounds: Ronald Malindi vs Ronnie Chiloane
JNR middleweight – six rounds: Hansie Carr vs Nkaimeng Leraba
JNR middleweight – four rounds: Brandon Thysse vs TBA
JNR lightweight – four rounds: Lucky Mongebane vs TBA
JNR bantamweight – six rounds: Joshua Studdard vs Sihle Jelwana
Junior flyweight – six rounds: Deejay Kriel vs Ayanda Dulani
WBA Pan African/SA Cruiserweight Championship – 12 rounds: Kevin Lerena vs Johnny Muller – @SabeloBoksburg
