Aussie boxer Michael Zerafa has revealed the torrent of abuse that followed his controversial showdown with Nikita Tszyu – including graphic death threats – left him “broken”.
The former world title challenger admitted he was blindsided by the scale of the backlash that followed their blockbuster grudge match in January.
UFC 326 Holloway vs Oliveira 2 | SUN 8 MARCH 1PM AEDT | After 11 years removed from their first encounter, Max Holloway will face the former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira for the BMF Championship, in Las Vegas. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Fight fans were left stunned when the fight was waved off seconds into the third round after Zerafa suffered a cut over his eyebrow caused by a headclash.
‘Pretty Boy’ told the ringside doctor “I can’t see” before later insisting that he was fine to continue.
Chaos erupted inside the Brisbane Entertainment Centre as frustrated fans hurled cans and cups toward the ring, showered the fighters with abuse before the bout was officially ruled a no-contest.
“I don’t know why everyone was booing me, I didn’t stop it, the doctor stopped it,” Zerafa said at the time.
But it was what happened in the hours afterwards that stunned the Melbourne fighter most.
“Still to this day I don’t understand (the abuse),” he said on The Billy Joe Podcast.
“People say, ‘It’s because you bitched it’, but I didn’t.
“I had a genuine injury. I was winning the fight.”
In the 48 hours that followed, Zerafa said his phone was flooded with hate – including repeated threats to his life.
“It broke me. I was on top. I’ve given my absolute all for this,” he said.
“When all that subsided, to see death threats, memes…
“(There were death threats) not once, not twice. In that 48 hours, I reckon I copped 20.
“We’re talking 48 hours. You get so much crap, man.
“All directed at me. For what?”
He then detailed one message that really crossed a line.
“It was, ‘When I see you, I’ll make sure I’ll cut your throat, I know where you train, be expecting me there’,” he said.
Zerafa insisted that he wasn’t overly worried, because he knew he didn’t do anything to deserve it.
“What, because you weren’t entertained enough?” he said.
“That’s what it comes down to.
“Leading up to the fight, if I’m not villain enough, people complain.
“If I’m nice, [people say] you’re fake.
“If I’m honest, [people say] you’re rude.
“I can’t win.”
Despite the emotional hit, Zerafa insists the experience has ultimately strengthened his resolve.
Even after being banned by No Limit Boxing and told there would be no rematch, the 33-year-old says he is more determined than ever to rebuild.
“I’m not done yet,” he said.
“I know a lot of people would like to see me done, but I’ve still got a fire burning.
“I’ve got a lot of people to prove wrong, I’m hungrier and better things are coming.
“I’ve cleaned out my backyard, it’s time to get back to where I belong, back with the bigger guys, back where people know what they’re doing.
“I’m top ten in the world. I’ve fought 11 world champions. I’ve been in there with the best, beaten the best.
“Boxing is a beautiful sport, but there’s too many people with their hands in it who are destroying it.
Hearn’s big praise for Aussie star | 14:10
“And I don’t even need to say names…
“The world is tough as it is. Spread love, not hate.”