Many fans looked down upon last year’s Floyd Mayweather exhibition with John Gotti III after their bout ended in a brawl. However, today’s action showed that the professional ranks can sometimes be no different, as the return of a recent world title challenger ended similarly.
A pantomime villain of Australia and former opponent of Kell Brook, Michael Zerafa finally got his opportunity to challenge for world honours in his 36th professional contest – challenging two-division champion Erislandy Lara for the Cuban-American’s WBA middleweight title on the Tszyu-Fundora undercard back in March.
Unfortunately for Zerafa, the 40-year-old was able to roll back the years and deliver a brutal straight-left that resulted in a second-round knockout in what was a first defence of his strap since being upgraded from WBA (Regular) champion.
At 40 years old, @LaraBoxing is aging like fine wine 🍷 and his power still packs a punch 💥!
Watch the full #LaraZerafa highlight now: https://t.co/qam6FtbhE2pic.twitter.com/n7gIErM0mp
— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) April 3, 2024
Today, Zerafa (31-5) sought to bounce back from the fifth loss of his career and was tasked with 41-year-old veteran Tommy Browne (45-8-2), who challenged for the WBC featherweight title almost two decades ago.
After a fast start in the opening round, as Zerafa attempted to apply early pressure, Browne, who had labelled Zerafa as a ‘quitter’ during the build-up for the manner of his loss to Lara, withdrew in-between rounds due to a visibly injured bicep.
In typical Zerafa fashion, the polarising ‘Pretty Boy’ began taunting his opponent shortly after the contest was waived off by the referee, revelling in the irony of Browne’s pre-fight comments. Although, things then took a turn for the worse as the teams of both men intruded into the ring and Tommy Mercuri, Browne’s trainer, exchanged words with Zerafa and his cornermen, prompting a response from Zerafa’s brother.
Jason-Manuel Zerafa stepped through the ropes and threw a cowardly cheap shot at Mercuri, who retired in 1984, tainting what was otherwise a solid card from No Limit Boxing and a superb display of the domestic talent Down Under.
🚨CHAOS IN SYDNEY
Tommy Browne pulls himself out after round 1 against Michael Zerafa, who starts taunting Browne.
Browne's trainer is then attacked by Zerafa's brother for confronting Zerafa. Wild scenes pic.twitter.com/tViX9sebC2
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) August 28, 2024
Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Mercuri declared that Jason-Manuel Zerafa should be ‘banned from every venue’ in the country.
“And it was a dog shot, I didn’t even see it. Just felt it. But he couldn’t even knock out his father. I’m as old as his father. People like that shouldn’t be allowed in the corner. Nobody should be allowed in the corner with emotions like that. They are clowns mate.
“Zerafa’s brother should be banned, banned from every venue in Australia. It is ridiculous.”
“No, [they have not apologised], and I wouldn’t accept one. The guy [Zerafa] has no respect for anyone.”
Zerafa has long been perceived as the ‘bad boy’ of Australian boxing, especially in recent years because of his aims to halt the progression of both Tim and Nikita Tsyzu, sons of the legendary Kosta Tszyu.
That win over Browne is likely to tee up a clash between Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu, following the latter’s victory over Koen Mazoudier in the main-event, and there is no doubt who the Australian public will be supporting now, if they weren’t already.
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