Zerafa’s harsh self-assessment after dominant comeback win
Michael Zerafa’s redemption arc did not kick off in the way he hoped despite securing a dominant eighth-round stoppage victory over Alejandro Ortiz on Wednesday night.
Zerafa was back in the ring for the first time since his no result finish against Nikita Tszyu in January, but he was unimpressed by the display he delivered to win.
Zerafa lands a brutal jab on Ortiz. Getty Images
It was clear from the early rounds that the homegrown talent was in control of the bout, landing a flurry of brutal jabs to the body and head of Ortiz.
The awkward nature of his tall Venezuelan opponent was off-putting for Zerafa, but he still managed to knock him down in the eighth round.
English boxing promotor Eddie Hearn had recognised before the fight that regardless of whether Zerafa claimed victory, he still had a long road ahead of him to lose the title of Australia’s boxing “villain”.
Zerafa acknowledged that to be true when he apologised to fans on the Gold Coast.
“I have let a lot of people down, but I need you in my corner, guys. We are Aussies, we should stick together,” he said after his fight.
“I really am, from the bottom of my heart, sorry. Things happen, but this is the start of something great.
“(That performance) was terrible. I’m not going to sugarcoat it ... He was awkward. I couldn’t get the distance. He was just a tough walking fighter.
“I tried to stay cool, calm and collected ... I want to get in here and train harder, get better and keep learning.”
While he may want to lose the villain title, Zerafa is content with remaining the underdog in most bouts he steps into, especially if it will benefit his career.
But with Hearn sitting ringside, Zerafa wasted no time setting the record straight for the types of fighters he hopes to come up against in the future.
“We want big fights,” the 34-year-old said.
Zerafa punches Ortiz. Getty Images
“There has been talks of Chris Eubank Jr. I know a lot of people from that performance are going to say I’m not ready, but I love being doubted.
“I could’ve fought someone terrible (today) but I fought a puncher.
“I hadn’t been in the ring that long [for some time] ... I was stopping everyone early, so it was nice to get the full eight rounds.
“I want to be the best. I am top 10 in the world, so keep them coming. And like I said, there are bigger things from this.”
