Usyk proves too strong for Muller in Ukrain
The highly anticipated cruiserweight fight between Ukranian powerhouse Oleksandr Usyk and Johnny “The Hurricane” Muller, in Kiev, ended in disappointment for the South African fighter.
With Usyk (28) coming into the fight with seven consecutive wins inside the distance, and Muller with 13 shortcut victories among his overall 19 wins, the writing was on the wall for a high-profile slugfest on Saturday, August 29.
The bout was anything but this, however, as Usyk proved too strong for the South African.
The fight ended right at the end of the third round, in rather premature fashion, as the powerful Olympic gold medallist gave the bout official, Ingo Barrabas, little choice but to halt the encounter, to prevent Muller from suffering serious injury.
Muller (25) became the third South African to be left floored in the Ukranian’s wake, after Daniel Bruwer and Danie Venter were also defeated in the seventh and ninth rounds respectively, when they faced the No 2 WBO-ranked Usyk.
The win further glossed Usyk’s record to eight consecutive wins inside the distance, while Muller’s fell to 19-5-2 including 13 wins inside the distance.
Asked about the fight, a dejected Muller replied: “I don’t know. The fight wasn’t that tough, because it ended too quickly to be tough. I don’t want to make any excuses.”
Muller, a former SA light heavyweight champion, relinquished his title in May, this year, when he moved up to the cruiserweight division.
He is set to face Kevin Lerena in a rematch scheduled for December. – @SabeloBoksburg
“The Hurricane” to face Usyk in Ukraine
Muller endures his toughest fight to date
Johnny ‘The Hurricane’ Muller and Tommy Oosthuizen sparring .
