Having just turned professional in late 2013 and having won all of his seven professional fights inside the distance thus far, the Ukranian has also left SA duo Danie Venter and Daniel Bruwer in his wake and is already second on the WBO rankings.
Usyk became the WBO interim intercontinental champion when he beat Bruwer after six rounds, and claimed the championship when he beat Venter, last year.
Asked if he’ll be lucky number three and become the first boxer to halt Usyk’s intimidating run, Muller, talking from the Hammer Boxing Gym, in Boksburg, replied: “Yes, of course. I’ve trained very hard for this. I want that title (WBO intercontinental cruiserweight) and he’s standing in my way. I don’t train to lose.”
Speaking of Usyk’s record and how he’s been planning on stopping the Olympic gold medallist, Muller added: “Harold (Volbrecht) has worked a lot with me. He (Usyk) is similar to Tommy (Oosthuizen), he’s also southpaw, except that Tommy hits much harder and is faster.
“I’ve been sparring with Tommy quite a lot to prepare for this fight. I want to win that WBO intercontinental title. I look good. I feel good.”
Muller will be looking to improve on his 19 professional wins and to spoil the Kiev party by claiming what will undoubtedly be one of his biggest scalps.
“I’m going there to win, which will open doors for me and take me places – on top – where I want to be. I don’t know of the word ‘losing’,” said the man also known as ”The Hurricane”.
Muller and his trainer, Volbrecht, flew out to Kiev on Saturday, and are scheduled to return on Sunday, August 30. – @SabeloBoksburg
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