The two gave the full-house crowd full value for its money in an explosive bout that saw Lerena enjoy the early upper hand before Muller assumed the ascendancy in the latter rounds.

The win, which avenged Lerena’s only career loss to Muller, was, however, marred with a controversial ending.

A powerful left blow by Lerena surprised Muller and was followed by multiple unanswered punches before the latter slid to the canvas.

The challenger, who lay sluggishly before regaining his footing, could have expected the benefit of the referee’s count like many onlookers, but referee Jaap van Niewenhuizen immediately called off the fight instead in the 10th round.

“It was not my night, it was Kevin’s night – congratulations to him,” said Muller.

Asked for his thoughts on the fight, he commented: “The fight could’ve gone on, that’s how I felt but the referee didn’t feel that way and his decision is final.”

In the main event curtain raiser, Deejay Kriel was held to a draw by Ayanda Dulani in a fight he could’ve easily lost.

Elsewhere, the charismatic Ronald Malindi, who danced his way into and out of the fight, secured his sixth win in as many fights, following an impressive showing against Ronnie Chiloane.

Two judges scored the fight 39-37 with the third calling it a 38-all draw to hand Malindi a majority decision win.

Lerena’s say on the fight

“It was a good fight. It was a good tough fight; Johnny [Muller] is a tough competitor. I had the upper hand in the beginning but he started winning the latter rounds.

“He went down and he was irresponsive. When he lay down he didn’t get up and if he did get up, he was going to get up to a straight left and go to sleep.

“It’s nothing personal, but I’m moving to bigger things. All respect to Johnny but I’m moving on.

“Of course the first fight was good and this one was even better.

“I don’t fight for prestige, this is business for me.”

Trainer Harold Volbrecht’s say on the fight

“It was a good fight; both guys were in fantastic shape.

“It was entertaining and it’s what people wanted to see.

“Kevin opened up and Johnny walked into a punch.

“The referee could’ve counted. When you wave your hands on top of a fighter who’s on the canvas, it signals as a slip and warrants a count.

“If you wave your hands while standing, it means that the fight is called off, and the referee didn’t do that.

“But I’m not going to make any excuses. We got to have another go. I hope they (Lerena and Muller) win their next respective fights so they can fight again, maybe at the end of the year.”

Lerena’s trainer, Peter Smith could not be reached for comment.

Other results:

There were TKO wins for John Bobape, Sterling Shaw, Lucky Mongebane and Joshua Studdard. – @SabeloBoksburg

Golden Gloves Brawl: All set for Muller vs Lerena II

Tommy tips Muller to beat Lerena

“Kevin a great fighter” – Muller

BOXING: Muller, Lerena head for a cracking rematch