JOHANNESBURG – Golden Gloves has signed Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu to fight Johnny “The Hurricane” Muller at Emperors Palace on May 20.
Announcing the news, Rodney Berman said that he had gone back to a proven formula of matching SA boxers in local “super fights”.
"It’s a fascinating match-up. Mchunu is rebuilding after a bruising world championship defeat and Muller is at the crossroads after falling short at international level,” Berman enthused
“This one has all the ingredients of being a great tear-up. For both, the outcome will be vital. Defeat could be catastrophic for either.”
Although both are on the right side of 30, they have plenty of miles on the clock and desperately need to win to prove they can continue to compete at elite level. Losing to Oleksandr Osyk, as they both did, is no disgrace, but picking up the pieces is what counts at this stage of their careers.
Mchunu is a crafty southpaw with good speed, while Muller is a boxer-puncher who loves a brawl. Muller has fought often at Emperors Palace, while Mchunu will return for the first time in five years.
In his last outing there, he annexed the Super Four belt, so the casino represents glad tidings for the man from KZN. The bill will include Simpiwe Konkco, up against Melvin Jerusalem in defence of his IBO title.