MICHAEL Zerafa has sensationally been branded “a chicken” — and accused of running from yet another blockbuster fight — after turning his back on a guaranteed IBF championship showdown against Brazilian Esquiva Falcao.
Less than two year after quitting his Australian superfight with arch rival Tim Tszyu, Zerafa and US agent Elvis Grant have caused a huge stir Stateside by walking away from a shot at the IBF middleweight strap — and only hours before the purse bid was due to get underway.
Instead, the 30-year-old Melbournian will now shift his attention to WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara, for whom he is also the No.1 contender and mandatory.
Fox Sports Australia understands Zerafa could have fought for IBF gold in his hometown of Melbourne, and as soon as next month, had he gone to purse bid with Falcao, who is promoted by Top Rank.
Watch Boxing Live & On-Demand on Kayo. Selected international fights, classic bouts and more. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
There have been suggestions the decision to walk away could also cost the Australian financially, however at the time of writing Zerafa had not responded to Fox Sports Australia’s requests for comment.
After learning of the decision however, Falcao immediately took to Twitter and slammed his rival, writing: “I just found out that Zerafa ran like a chicken. Ran from a real fighter to face a 40 year old fighter. ZERAFA YOU ARE A CHICKEN.”
In another strange twist, Zerafa’s high-profile manager also sent an email explaining their walk out to not only IBF officials, but a huge list of contacts including rival promoters.
The correspondence, which has been obtained by Fox Sports Australia, was addressed to IBF president Daryl Peoples – but then cc’d to almost 100 other registered promoters including Eddie Hearn, Lou DiBella, and several Australian outfits.
In the email, Grant explained his surprise, and displeasure, at having an extension request for the purse bid denied.
Zerafa was initially locked in to fight undefeated Brazilian Falcao (30-0) in February, after the IBF belt was vacated by Gennadiy Golovkin.
Soon after, Golovkin also relinquished his WBA ‘Super’ middleweight title.
Golovkin had been scheduled to fight regular champion Lara, who was instead made the division’s sole middleweight champ – with Zerafa the mandatory.
MORE BOXING NEWS
Aussie’s bold $50k gamble in hunt for Tszyu moment against boxing ‘beast’
‘Far out’: Tszyu reveals frank Kostya advice … and takes dig at ‘stuttering’ Charlo
‘I’ve got a point to prove’: Aussie Kambosos’ next world title fight revealed
Tszyu opens up after statement victory | 09:57
Initially for the IBF purse bid, Grant had sought a 30-day extension.
Yet while a seven-day compromise was reached by Team Zerafa and Top Rank – and a new date of March 21 agreed upon — the IBF then informed both promoters it would instead be a March 14 hearing.
Soon after, Grant revealed they would be withdrawing from the purse bid.
Team Zerafa will now turn their attention to Lara, who is represented by TGB Promotion on behalf of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).
They will have until April 13 to reach terms.
Back in 2021, walked away from his hyped Tszyu showdown in fight week, citing fears Covid regulations would see he and his team trapped in NSW afterwards.
Yet when asked about his decision to boycott the fight late last year, Zerafa said he was “lied to” by a management group who he has since split with.
“Sadly, I had the wrong team in my corner,” Zerafa said before his November win against Danilo Creati.
“They did a lot wrong by me. I was lied to.
“I can’t go into it here but things were said, promises were made — and it was all false. I only found all this out a few months ago, too.
“But had I been given the right information, I wouldn’t have done what I did.”
However the fighter also stresses that the drama, and ensuing fallout between he and Tszyu, have “only built a bigger fight between us”.
Indeed, only last month it was revealed a bout between the pair was back on the table — and could happen as early as this year – so long as Zerafa finally wins himself that coveted world title.
Nikita unleashes fury in 4th round TKO | 00:54
While Tszyu is now set to again face his division’s undisputed champion Jermell Charlo, and hopefully by July in Las Vegas, the Sydneysider would consider a showdown with his arch rival at the end of their year – but only if Zerafa also has gold to risk.
Dubbed Pretty Boy, Zerafa has recently been put in line for three title bouts, with the Australian having also been sounded out by WBO champ Janibek Alimkhanuly.
But with the IBF strap now off the table, he will turn his attention towards the WBA strap.
In the email, Grant wrote: “After, trying to reach you by phone and via text, I come to find out today, the day before the original purse bid date of March 14, 2023 that according to you, Mr. [Carl] Moretti (TR VP of Operations) has reneged on the March 21st purse bid extension.
“If Mr. Moretti had agreed to an extension until March 21st, I cannot understand, (a) why would the IBF let him break such an agreement, and (b) when would I have ever been informed of this had I not been persistent in reaching out to you regarding any extension past the already agreed upon 7 days that Mr. Moretti had previously agreed?
“What surprises me most about Mr. Moretti’s position is the fact that at no point did Top Rank show any interest in promoting their fighter Mr. Falcao.
“Therefore, reneging on his agreeing to a 7 day purse bid extension is nonsensical.
“Given these unfortunate circumstances, the interested parties that I have been in discussions with regarding the purse bid which was supposed to take place on March 21st after prior agreement by Mr. Moretti, I must inform you that Mr. Zerafa has decided to pursue other options and will no longer fight for the IBF Middleweight Title against Mr. Falcao.”
New ringside angle shows BRUTAL Tszyu KO | 00:48
Grant had also written the request for an extension was necessary “because I had reached out to several promoters who needed more time to put such a purse bid together considering factors such as purse, date to stage event, and venue to stage such event.
“Throughout this time, I had not received official confirmation from the IBF regarding any extension including the additional 7 days that Mr. Moretti had previously agreed to.”