All set for Lerena-Muller rematch

Lerena admitted he had been outboxed the first time, but swore he had absorbed the lessons and would bring these into play. Muller, for his part, said he is desperate to win, particularly as he is coming off a bruising loss.

Muller was a convincing winner the first time, winning on all three judges’ cards: 97-93, 97-93, 98-92.

The ante was upped even more with confirmation that Lerena’s SA cruiserweight belt, in addition to the WBA Pan-Africa title, will be on the line.

Trainer Peter Smith has no doubt Lerena will prevail.

“We’ve got Johnny’s number, even though Harold Volbrecht is the best trainer in the country,” said Smith.

Lerena concurred, saying his subsequent performance against Deon Coetzee, whom he comprehensively outboxed, proved that he was a different fighter. Behind-the-scenes work in the gym had helped develop an altogether different proposition, Lerena explained.

Volbrecht was ill in bed, but Muller did his own talking, saying he would repeat what he did last November.

Paul Kamanga was typically forthright and articulate in talking up his WBA Pan-Africa welterweight fight against Roman Zhailaouv. He’s seen the Kazakh in action a few times and doubts he is in the class of Kaizer Mabuza, his toughest opponent to date.

The undercard has stacked up nicely and includes dynamic DeeJay Kriel, Cowin Ray, Joshua Studdard and Dair Zhailaouv, the younger brother of Roman. 

ANA