Australian Michael Zerafa is taking a step down in school as he appears to rebuild his profession following his second spherical knockout loss to WBA middleweight titleholder Erislandy Lara in Las Vegas in March.
An enormous step down in school.
The 32-year-old Melburnian will tackle Tommy Browne in August, with the venue and date but to be finalized.
The title may sound vaguely acquainted to those that have been across the sport for some time. Sydney’s Browne, 41, unsuccessfully challenged In Jin Chi for the WBC title and Chris John for the WBA belt in the identical calendar yr. That was in 2005 and each of these contests have been at featherweight.
Since then, Browne has had an up-and-down profession. Following his sixth-round stoppage loss to Leonardo Zappavigna at junior welterweight in 2008, he took a five-year break from the game earlier than returning as a 154-pounder. The previous decade has seen the 22-year professional defeat a laundry record of journeymen whereas dropping to Anthony Mundine by second-round knockout and Dennis Hogan on factors over six heats as he ran his report as much as 45-8-2 with 19 victories coming through the brief route.
Browne has been a courageous warrior who has proudly flown the flag for his nation on the worldwide stage, however there would appear to be little urge for food for this matchup at dwelling or overseas.
The information comes as Zerafa has signed a cope with No Restrict Boxing, the Sydney-based outfit that promotes boxing brothers Tim and Nikita Tszyu. The Browne bout can be Zerafa’s first beneath their banner, together with his final purpose being to struggle a minimum of one of many Tszyus.
“I’ve signed a cope with No Restrict and hopefully as soon as I beat Tommy, I can struggle Nikita subsequent and finally Tim,” defined Zerafa (31-5, 19 KOs) to CODE Sports activities.
“Nikita could be very robust. He has the title. He has the hype, however there’s lots of flaws in his recreation and a world-class fighter like me will expose them.”
Zerafa was scheduled to face Tim Tszyu three years in the past however withdrew from the interstate bout one week out amid considerations about COVID-19 journey restrictions. 4 months in the past, his final struggle towards Lara was on the undercard of Tyszu’s ill-fated WBO junior middleweight title protection towards Sebastian Fundora.
“Me and Tim have unfinished enterprise,” mentioned Zerafa. “Being on the identical card in Vegas, it softened the unhealthy blood we had as two Aussies on the world stage collectively, however that is enterprise and there’s a struggle that must be made.
“No Restrict have put a defend in entrance of Tim with Nikita, however I’ll break that household defend and finally get the large struggle the Australian boxing followers deserve.
“The actual fact is me and Tim don’t have anything now. Neither of us have any belts. We’re again on the identical enjoying area now, so if Tim is prepared, I’m able to do it.”
In a shock transfer, Zerafa has additionally linked up with coach Glenn Rushton, who famously coached Jeff Horn to his upset win over Manny Pacquaio in Brisbane seven years in the past.
“Glenn has a pointy thoughts,” mentioned Zerafa, who went 1-1 towards Horn with Rushton within the reverse nook. “He isn’t formally my coach. He’ll simply be advising me and serving to me within the nook.
“I’ll be selecting his mind. He has lots of expertise in boxing and blended martial arts. I really feel prefer it’s an additional little bit of artillery in my nook.”
He added: “Horn fought Tim Tszyu and I feel Rushton can present some good insights and break Tim down.”
