Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has expressed his discontent following his unexpected absence from a Monday press conference, ahead of his upcoming fight against Mikey Dahlman. The event, which promoted a pay-per-view card headlined by Nikita Tszyu, did not feature Zerafa, raising eyebrows just two days before his return to the ring.
While some suggested that Zerafa chose not to attend, he took to social media to clarify the situation. He revealed that he was informed by No Limit, the boxing promotion company, at 9:41 AM that he was no longer needed at the press conference. Zerafa described their reasoning as vague, prompting him to issue a statement just hours before the press conference to ensure the facts were clear. He accused the promoters of falsely claiming he “no showed,” which he labelled not only dishonest but potentially damaging to his reputation.
Zerafa asserted that this move directly attacks his integrity and professionalism, claiming it has serious implications for his public image. Indicating that he should not be publicly shamed for a situation beyond his control, he confirmed that his legal team is now involved following this incident. His grievances were echoed in the comments section of his post, where UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski extended his support.
Despite the ongoing drama and some scrutiny over his previous fight withdrawals—including a notable cancellation of his match against Tim Tszyu in 2021—Zerafa remains focused on his upcoming match against Dahlman. He last fought in August 2022, securing a victory over Tommy Browne, and is looking to bounce back after a setback where he was halted in his attempt to capture the WBA middleweight title earlier this year.
Zerafa has also been vocal about his rival Tszyu’s unusual pre-fight habits, including an amusing claim about consuming breast milk and placenta for recovery after a year away from the sport. Should both fighters secure their wins in the upcoming bouts, a clash between them could be on the horizon later this year or early next year.
As the fight week unfolds, Zerafa is determined to establish himself in the ring once again and is prepared to confront the pressures of the spotlight, regardless of the stir caused by his recent experiences with No Limit.