Michael Zerafa to face Tommy Browne next, maps out path to fights against Tszyu brothers
Australian Michael Zerafa is taking a step down in class as he looks to rebuild his career following his second round knockout loss to WBA middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara in Las Vegas in March.
A big step down in class.
The 32-year-old Melburnian will take on Tommy Browne in August, with the venue and date yet to be finalized.
The name might sound vaguely familiar to those who have been around the sport for a while. Sydney’s Browne, 41, unsuccessfully challenged In Jin Chi for the WBC title and Chris John for the WBA belt in the same calendar year. That was in 2005 and both of those contests were at featherweight.
Since then, Browne has had an up-and-down career. Following his sixth-round stoppage loss to Leonardo Zappavigna at junior welterweight in 2008, he took a five-year break from the sport before returning as a 154-pounder. The past decade has seen the 22-year pro defeat a laundry list of journeymen while losing to Anthony Mundine by second-round knockout and Dennis Hogan on points over six heats as he ran his record up to 45-8-2 with 19 victories coming via the short route.
Browne has been a brave warrior who has proudly flown the flag for his country on the international stage, but there would seem to be little appetite for this matchup at home or abroad.
The news comes as Zerafa has signed a deal with No Limit Boxing, the Sydney-based outfit that promotes boxing brothers Tim and Nikita Tszyu. The Browne bout will be Zerafa’s first under their banner, with his ultimate goal being to fight at least one of the Tszyus.
“I’ve signed a deal with No Limit and hopefully once I beat Tommy, I can fight Nikita next and eventually Tim,” explained Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs) to CODE Sports.
“Nikita is very strong. He has the name. He has the hype, but there’s a lot of flaws in his game and a world-class fighter like me will expose them.”
Zerafa was scheduled to face Tim Tszyu three years ago but withdrew from the interstate bout one week out amid concerns about COVID-19 travel restrictions. Four months ago, his last fight against Lara was on the undercard of Tyszu’s ill-fated WBO junior middleweight title defense against Sebastian Fundora.
“Me and Tim have unfinished business,” said Zerafa. “Being on the same card in Vegas, it softened the bad blood we had as two Aussies on the world stage together, but this is business and there is a fight that needs to be made.
“No Limit have put a shield in front of Tim with Nikita, but I will break that family shield and eventually get the big fight the Australian boxing fans deserve.
“The fact is me and Tim have nothing now. Neither of us have any belts. We’re back on the same playing field now, so if Tim is ready, I’m ready to do it.”
In a surprise move, Zerafa has also linked up with trainer Glenn Rushton, who famously coached Jeff Horn to his upset win over Manny Pacquaio in Brisbane seven years ago.
“Glenn has a sharp mind,” said Zerafa, who went 1-1 against Horn with Rushton in the opposite corner. “He is not officially my trainer. He will just be advising me and helping me in the corner.
“I’ll be picking his brain. He has a lot of experience in boxing and mixed martial arts. I feel like it’s an extra bit of artillery in my corner.”
He added: “Horn fought Tim Tszyu and I think Rushton can provide some good insights and break Tim down.”
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