Johnny Muller in action tonight

South African light heavyweight champion and WBC Silver international champion Johnny Muller will be duking it out with Zambia’s Donald Kampamba in eight rounds tonight at Emperors Palace.

This will be Johnny’s first time back in the ring since September last year.

Johnny has vacated his current titles and is preparing to fight Polish cruiserweight champion Mateusz Masternak who is ranked in the top 10 by both the WBA and WBO.

“I don’t like the idea of letting go of my titles without a fight but I need to move forward with my career. I have grown out of the lightweight division and fighting Masternak will be an exciting next step for me. To fight on such a big stage is a dream of every boxer,” said Johnny.

Johnny has been training hard in preperation for the fight next month with the help of conditioning coach Sean von Abo from Helderkruin and former 19-time South African Champion Harold Volbrecht as his boxing coach.

“Sean has been helping me get my body into a good and strong condition and Harold has been a trainer and mentor to me who teaches me about boxing everyday and I’ve learnt a lot from him,” he said.

The 24-year-old started his boxing career at Witpoortjie Vikings and regularly visits the gym to motivate his juniors.

With sponsors such as Nature Dream Bread, One Life Insurance and Fight Shop South Africa, Johnny wants to be an example to young and aspiring boxers that there is a career in the sport.

“I put everything into boxing because I enjoy it. It has kept me on the right track and has taught me discipline and respect which is why I want to be a good example for the younger boxers who strive to be a success in the world of boxing,” he said.

Other matches that will take place tonight are:

Welterweight, 8 rounds: Paul Kamanga v Stone van Aswegen and Roman Zhialauov (Kazakhstan) v Willis Baloyi. Heavyweight, 6 rounds: Flo Simba v Marcel Malumba. Junior flyweight, 4 rounds: D J Kriel v Clever Modingi.