Michael Zerafa celebrated his victory as the WBO middleweight champion, triumphing over German boxer Besir Ay via TKO in the seventh round at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. The 32-year-old fighter dominated the match from the outset, delivering a powerful uppercut followed by a right hook that sent Ay to the canvas. Despite two knockdowns, Ay managed to continue until the fight was stopped.
Reflecting on the bout, Zerafa admitted that the victory came at a cost; he suspected he broke his hand in the second round but persevered through the discomfort. “I felt it go in round two… but it is what it is,” he said, noting that the fight felt somewhat lacklustre but ultimately, securing the win was what mattered.
Historically seen as a villain in the boxing world, Zerafa avoided engaging in the expected rivalry talk with fellow Australian fighter Tim Tszyu, who was present at the event. While many anticipated a potential showdown between the two, Zerafa expressed his willingness to support Tszyu, acknowledging his accomplishments and upcoming fight against Joey Spencer in April. “He’s got a big fight coming up, and as an Aussie, I will be getting behind him,” Zerafa stated, praising Tszyu as a great athlete.
Despite his willingness to back Tszyu, Zerafa made it clear he was still content to embrace his “bad guy” persona in boxing, acknowledging the need for such roles in the sporting arena. “This sport is hard, man. We put our bodies on the line,” he remarked, highlighting the intensity and dedication required in the sport.
Overall, Zerafa’s win marked a significant moment in his career, as he moved forward with a focus on solidifying his place in the boxing world while also evolving his relationship with rival fighters.