michael zeraffa no formal His boxing record suffered another setback on Friday, but the reputational damage could be just as costly.
The much-anticipated Australian domestic bout between Zelafa and rising star Nikita Tsiyu (brother of former world champion Tim Tsiyu and son of Australian boxing legend Costa Tsiyu) was declared a no-contest seconds into the third round at the Brisbane Entertainment Center in Boondel, Australia.
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In the second round, an accidental head collision resulted in a cut around Zerafa’s left eye. The cut was far from the worst in boxing and appeared to be manageable.
But when referee Chris Condon called a timeout in the third round to allow ringside doctors to examine the former title challenger’s eyes, Zelafa repeatedly said the wound was affecting his vision and that he couldn’t see. As a result, doctors advised Condon to stop the fight, which was declared a no-contest due to an accidental head collision and four rounds not yet completed.
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The fight had a controversial ending, with 10,000 spectators in Brisbane paying to watch one of Australia’s most intense fights in recent years, with boos ringing around the arena and objects thrown into the ring, only to have a disappointing result.
Nikita, the Fox Australia broadcast team and online all claimed Zerafa chose to quit rather than fight through adversity.
“I don’t think it’s that bad,” Tsiyu said of Zerafa’s cut. “It’s a shame, but what can you do? At least I won two rounds.”
“I absolutely would [think Zerafa quit]. I think he underestimated me, and once the editing happened, I think I developed a little bit of PTSD. His emotions got the better of him and he began to panic. Some of the things that Paulie Malignaggi criticized him for – he had no heart, he had quit… and as soon as there was a little bit of pain, he was looking for an exit. “
