Michael Zerafa is ready to put the past behind him and kick-start another world title charge against dangerous Venezuelan Alejandro Ortiz next month.
Only months after his controversial no contest against Nikita Tszyu, Zerafa faces a tough assignment for his first fight under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing banner, taking on knockout merchant Ortiz on the Gold Coast on August 12.
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The fight is the co-main event to Australian heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana’s showdown with American DeAndre Savage, with Matchroom viewing it as a big step in getting Zerafa back into world title contention.
Currently ranked No.4 with the WBO and No.6 by the WBA, Zerafa knows victory would keep him right in the mix for another crack at a middleweight world championship.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Zerafa made it clear his focus is firmly on what’s ahead.
“Respectfully, I don’t know too much about him, but obviously I respect his power and where he’s been,” Zerafa said.
“But you know, if I can’t beat these guys, then you know world title fights are out of the question.”
Ortiz (26-1, 25 KOs) comes into the fight with one of the most intimidating knockout records in the division, having stopped 25 of his 26 victories.
And the Venezuelan has already fired the opening shot.
“Michael Zerafa. I’m coming for you.”
Asked if the “Bad Boy” of Australian boxing might make a return if Ortiz wants to start the mind games, Zerafa was all in.
“100 percent,” Zerafa said.
“The Bad Boy is never buried, he’s just tucked away.
“If this guy wants to play mind games and the back and forth, I think he’ll lose that battle going into the fight.
“I don’t think many can match me with the comebacks and the bad boy image, but look at the moment I’m just playing it cool, calm and collected. And we’ll see what comes.”
While Zerafa has never considered himself a one-punch knockout artist, he says Ortiz should be careful.
“I’m not much of a puncher, but I’ve knocked out 23 of my opponents,” he said.
“So if I get my distance right… he’s in trouble.”
While Ortiz comes first, Zerafa is already eyeing some big opportunities if he gets the job done.
Earlier this year, ‘Pretty Boy’ was heavily linked to a blockbuster showdown with British superstar Chris Eubank Jr.
But Zerafa insisted the fight remains very much on his radar, and could still happen.
“Yeah, we’re still definitely going back and forth,” he said.
“That’s definitely still a green light.
“They’re still super keen. We’re still super keen.
“It’s still a live fight.
“Now it’s just about getting the backing.”
While Zerafa has one eye on a potential showdown with Chris Eubank Jr, there remains another blockbuster much closer to home.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn recently declared a rematch with Nikita Tszyu “the biggest fight in Australian boxing”, with the pair’s controversial no contest leaving plenty of unfinished business.
Zerafa isn’t about to call the shots, though, insisting he’ll leave those decisions to his promoters.
“Look, I do whatever my promoters and management tell me to do,” he explained.
“It’s my dream to be a world champion. I will never shy away from a fight, and if it’s going to elevate me or give me a world title, yeah, sure, 100%.”
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The Victorian also returns to Queensland, where he’s suffered some of the toughest nights of his career, including the Tszyu no contest and his narrow loss to Jeff Horn in 2019.
Zerafa says the location doesn’t bother him at all.
“It doesn’t matter,” he explained.
“I can’t change what people think of me.
“All that matters and I care about are the ones that show their love and support.
“I do get a lot of hate, but amongst that hate, there’s a lot of great people out there. I get a lot of support as well, especially down in Melbourne.
“Just today on the way to the hotel room (on the Gold Coast), there’s a lot of love and support, which is good.
“If we can turn a few haters around, that’s great.
“But if not, I’ve still got a job to do.”