- Michael Zerafa’s brother punches opponent’s coach
- Brother gets life ban for ugly incident
- Police confirmed they are investigating the incident
The brother of Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has been given a life ban and is being investigated by police after he punched an opponent’s trainer during a brawl in the ring.
Zerafa claimed a TKO victory over Tommy Browne on Wednesday night, but the win was overshadowed when Jason-Manuel Zerafa threw a punch at Browne’s trainer Tommy Mercuri after the two corners had come to blows.
Browne suffered a biceps injury in the first round of the bout and did not return from his corner in the second round – a move that appeared to infuriate his opponent.
Zerafa, unimpressed by his opponent’s withdrawal, vented his anger at Browne with a verbal tirade, prompting the loser’s coach, Tommy Mercuri, to march the boxer around the ring.
That led to a flood of people from both sides entering the squared circle, with Zerafa’s brother breaking through the ropes and going straight for Mercuri.
He was then photographed with his right hand on the coach’s chin, resulting in shocking scenes.
On Thursday, NSW Police confirmed that detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.
“At approximately 10:00 p.m. (Wednesday), police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention center … when a 26-year-old man attacked a 60-year-old man during the event,” police said in a statement.
Tommy Browne’s coach took nasty beating from Michael Zerafa’s brother
‘Officers intervened and came to the aid of the elderly man. He suffered minor injuries and did not require treatment.’
Promoter No Limit Boxing confirmed that Jason-Manuel Zerafa has been given a lifetime ban for the ‘unacceptable’ incident.
“He will not be allowed to attend any future No Limit Boxing events… The Combat Sports Authority of NSW has been notified of the decision prior to any additional disciplinary action they may take,” the company said in a statement.
Michael Zerafa posted a message on Instagram after the match at the ICC Theatre in Sydney suggesting his brother defended him after an attack from the opponent’s corner.
Zerafa has defended his team for their behaviour and has maintained that Browne’s team caused the drama
“Everyone turned against my brother, but no one said anything about the way his coach lashed out at me,” he wrote in a message.
‘Team Browne started it, team Zerafa ended it.’
The fight was the co-main event of a program that was won by Nikita Tszyu in the ninth round via TKO of Koen Mazoudier.
Michael Zerafa fought for the WBA middleweight title in March, but was stopped by Cuban Erislandy Lara.