Two former world champions have spoken highly of Michael Zerafa, praising the sometimes controversial Aussie for his boxing ability ahead of his grudge match with Nikita Tszyu.
As the countdown continues toward one of the most personal domestic fights in recent memory, Zerafa’s credentials are being talked up by men who have been there, done that, and got the T-shirt at the highest level of the sport.
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Long labelled the bad boy of Australian boxing, Zerafa has made headlines for his controversial remarks – comments that have at times distracted from just how handy he is inside the ring.
Among those who know his talent first-hand is British boxing superstar Kell Brook, who shared the ring with Zerafa in a super-welterweight final eliminator in 2018.
Brook emerged with a unanimous decision, but not before being pushed hard by “Pretty Boy” over 12 gruelling rounds.
“He’s definitely underrated,” Brook told Fox Sports Australia this week.
“He did everything well [when we fought]. He was very tough – could take a shot very well.
“He had a good right hand and a big heart.
“Zerafa was good at it all.”
As to if he would get his hand raised against “The Butcher” this week, Brook couldn’t split them.
“It should be a really good fight, but I can’t pick a winner. It’s too close.”
Former world champ Jeff Horn is another who knows exactly how good Zerafa is – having shared the ring with him not once, but twice.
The pair produced one of Australian boxing’s most memorable recent rivalries, splitting their two-fight series across 19 brutal rounds.
Their first stoush in 2019 ended in a stunning upset, with Zerafa stopping Horn and handing the former WBO welterweight champion one of the biggest losses of his career.
Horn would later gain revenge in the rematch, edging Zerafa in a fiercely contested decision in Brisbane.
When asked if Zerafa’s sometimes inflammatory comments overshadowed his quality work in the ring, Horn didn’t hesitate to agree.
“That’s fair,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“He’s a good boxer, he’s fit and definitely one of the best guys to watch out there at the moment.
“He’s got a good jab, he moves well – he does everything well. I definitely underestimated him the first time I fought him. He hit me with some good shots.”
And when it came to advice for Nikita Tszyu heading into the fight, Horn didn’t hold back.
“Be smart,” he explained.
“I feel like if Nikita is to win this one he’ll have to be smart and not go in all guns blazing like he sometimes likes to do. He sometimes gets caught in a gun fight.
“I don’t think he should make this a gun fight this time.”
Zerafa’s most recent defeat came in a world title bout against Cuban southpaw star Erislandy Lara, who stopped him in the second round.
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Horn added that Tszyu’s lefty stance could pose a challenge for the Melbourne fighter.
“He’ll be watchful, I guess,” said Horn.
“I’m sure he’s versed other southpaws that he has been able to take care of pretty comfortably, but that last knockout against Lara might give him nightmares.”
Asked how he sees the fight playing out, Horn said it’s an intriguing matchup.
“It’s really interesting. I think it will be caution at the beginning, for a round or two, and then I think there will be moves from both of them.
“There may be a bit of a sprint in there to see if they can catch the other with good shots.
“I feel like they both want to see blood in this one and get the other one out of there.
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“I think Zerafa will win – I’m not sure how. Maybe decision.
“I think he will be a little bit better than Nikita in there. It’s a tough one to pick, though.”
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