Nielsen has entered the tournament as the favourite, but Muller believes he can upset the undefeated Danish southpaw and progress to the final later this year.
“Training has gone well; I’ve worked very hard,’’ says Muller. ‘’Nielsen is a very good fighter, which makes me want to win even more. I couldn’t fight in a similar tournament a few years ago, so this is my chance, especially as there is big money on offer.
“Nielsen is more of a counter-puncher. He’s also a southpaw, which suits me. My chief sparring partner for years was Tommy Oosthuizen and I’ve faced left-handers in most of my recent fights.
‘’I’m going to work very hard from the start, and I hear Nielsen has had weight issues and has had to drop a few kilos, so I’ll work my way to a stoppage later on.
Muller has a point to prove having lost his last fight to countryman Kevin Larena, who is competing in the second ‘Super 4’ semi-final bout against Roberto Bolonti.
“I know I lost concentration in my last fight, which cost me badly, but my trainer, Harold Volbrecht, has worked hard on this aspect. I have to make up for it, and I will.”
Volbrecht, a former South African Champion and two-time World title challenger, believes Muller has learnt his lesson and is ready for Saturday’s showdown.
‘’Johnny knows what he wants from this Super 4 tournament,” he said. ‘’He is going to go out there and box classy and box clever, that’s what we expect from him. He’s got no excuses, he’s trained hard. I think now he is in better condition that he has been before.’’