Mateusz Masternak (35-2, 25 KOs) is oozing with confidence ahead of his ten round cruiserweight clash with Johnny Muller (18-4-2, 13 KOs) on Saturday night at the Emperors Palace in Gauteng, South Africa.
Accompanied by his training team of Georg Bramowski and Ralf Lewandowski, Masternak arrived in the South African province on Monday, giving the Polish-puncher optimum time to adjust to the change in climate and altitude.
‘’I like it here in South Africa,’’ revealed the 28 year-old. ‘’Everyone is very friendly, and my team and I feel very comfortable. The weather is similar to Germany, there’s no time difference and I’ve had enough time to adapt to the slightly different climate and high altitude. I feel great and will definitely be in top form on Saturday night.’’
While in South Africa, Masternak has also had the opportunity to size up his opponent Muller, and ‘The Master’ has offered the following assessment of the man he will meet on Saturday night.
‘’Muller is a blown up light heavyweight and I intend to show him what it means to box at cruiserweight,’’ said the former European Champion. ‘’It means more than just eating more food and putting on weight. After the fight, I’m sure he will have learned his lesson and move back down to light heavyweight.’’
Having suffered a setback in his last title fight, Masternak has got his promising career back on track. Following an impressive points victory over former cruiserweight king Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris, the Pole is on the cusp of a world title challenge. Coach Georg Bramowski, one of the senior members of Ulli Wegner’s training team, knows Masternak cannot afford any slips up in South Africa, and has warned him not to ‘’underestimate’’ Muller.
‘’We know that it won’t be an easy fight,” said Bramowski. ‘’But we are well prepared. Muller is physically very strong and we must not underestimate him. He is also boxing at home, which will be an advantage for him, but Mateusz has proven in Paris, that for him it doesn’t matter where he fights, he has to give his best at all times, he knows how to fight for a victory and that’s what we will do on Saturday.’’
