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Opinion
Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa sits in the backdrop of an Australian boxing renaissance, refining his craft, and biding his time.
Whilst other Aussie boxers make headlines and grow popular, Zerafa works in the dark, and plots his next move. The fight fan community have grown to dismiss him, whilst his own inner circle grows tighter yet stronger. A man who was tainted by the community he belongs to and widely seen as a “villain” and to some a “coward”, Zerafa is now dictating his pathway to redemption.
He is the author of his own story.
A seasoned veteran, Zerafa, 30, made his professional debut more than a decade ago. A journey littered with highs and lows, his biggest challenges appear to have taken place outside the fights themselves.
In recent years, Zerafa has endured both tragedy and slander. His training partner and friend, Dwight Ritchie, tragically died in the presence of Zerafa in a routine sparring session. In his own words, the experience left him “feeling helpless”.
Shortly following the tragedy, Zerafa’s grief was compounded with a controversial split decision loss to Jeff Horn. And of course, the infamous Tim Tszyu saga of July 2021 which changed the course of the Victorian’s career. For whatever the truth, both camps maintain their innocence and blame the other for perhaps the most anticipated (cancelled) fight in Australian boxing history.
Be it by Tszyu’s mass following, or No Limit’s lack of defence for Zerafa, it was the ‘Pretty Boy’ who bore the overwhelming brunt of the criticism that transpired. For Zerafa, the real disappointment was in the attacks launched upon his own integrity – a devastating blow.
Michael Zerafa (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The remainder of 2021 was spent trying to piece back together a pathway that took 10 years to build. Promoters were reluctant to offer an opportunity, COVID-19 continued to disrupt, and Zerafa’s mental health was taking a hit. The future appeared grim.
It was during this time of isolation that the new Michael Zerafa was forged. Appearing as a contestant on reality TV show SAS: Australia, and taking time away from promoted fights, ‘Pretty Boy’ seemed far from a comeback.
And yet, despite outcasted by the boxing community, he found it within himself to slowly rebuild the journey that he first started as a teenager. Two quick return fights including a knockout win against Queenslander Isaac Hardman saw Zerafa re-establish himself. Shortly thereafter, No Limit promotions re-signed the 31-year-old, who won by unanimous decision over Italian-Australian Danilo Creati.
Strikingly, it was clear to fight fans that Zerafa’s demeanour had changed somewhat. There still remained that semblance of ‘villain’, however Zerafa’s sincerity was on display to all watching in his interactions and interviews.
Zerafa, after hitting rock bottom, was a new man. The crucible for which he endured had transformed him. It was soon announced by Zerafa himself that he and his partner had become engaged – more evidence of a man who was undergoing a strong character transformation.
Back to the present, Zerafa has opted to pursue a World Boxing Association (WBA) title fight against Cuban Erislandy Lara. Originally expected to fight Esquiva Falcao of Brazil for the IBF middleweight world title, Team Zerafa’s push for the WBA puts the onus on Lara to reach terms by April 13. Indeed, another Australian champion is on the cards and a boyhood dream fulfilled.
Though in the case of the ‘Pretty Boy’, the real success stands in Zerafa’s personal journey. His story is complex, captivating and representative of our own struggles. World title or not, Zerafa has won a victory of the highest importance and one that we each yearn to conquer ourselves.
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