Australian Boxer Michael Zerafa Details Death Threats After Controversial Bout
Australian middleweight boxer Michael Zerafa has revealed he received multiple death threats in the immediate aftermath of his controversial no-contest fight against Nikita Tszyu in January. The 33-year-old fighter described how the intense online reaction and abuse following the bout left him emotionally shattered, admitting the experience "broke" him.
The Controversial Fight That Sparked Outrage
The bout at Brisbane Entertainment Centre ended prematurely when Zerafa informed a ringside doctor he couldn't see out of his left eye after accidentally clashing heads with Tszyu. This led to the fight being declared a no-contest, a decision that infuriated spectators who booed Zerafa out of the arena and even threw cans toward the ring.
Confusion deepened during post-fight interviews when Zerafa initially stated the doctor had called off the fight, then later clarified his vision was merely "blurry" and expressed his desire to continue fighting. The situation created significant controversy within Australian boxing circles and among fans.
Death Threats and Online Abuse
In his first detailed interview since the January fight, Zerafa disclosed to The BillyJoe Podcast that he received approximately 20 death threats within 48 hours of the bout's conclusion. The threats included specific violent messages such as: "When I see you, I'll make sure I'll cut your throat, I know where you train, be expecting me there."
Beyond direct threats, Zerafa revealed critics contacted his sponsors demanding they sever ties with him. "They reach out to sponsors and say: 'As if you're sponsoring this guy'," he explained. The cumulative effect of this abuse took a severe emotional toll on the veteran fighter.
Injury Claims and Apology
Following the fight, Zerafa claimed on social media he had suffered a shattered eye socket and retinal damage, spending time in a Brisbane hospital for evaluation. However, his team never publicly disclosed the doctor's official findings.
The boxer later issued an apology to fans, acknowledging his "choice of words was poor" during the post-fight confusion. He maintained the legitimacy of his injury, stating his vision was only 6/20 at the time, but conceded his communication about the situation could have been clearer. This apology has since been removed from his Instagram account.
Future in Boxing and Relationship Strain
Questions have emerged about Zerafa's future in the sport, with reports suggesting his relationship with promoter No Limit Boxing has deteriorated significantly. Despite this, the fighter with a 34-5-0 professional record insists he's rebuilding and remains determined to challenge for a world title.
Zerafa recently broke his social media silence, posting a training video on Instagram with the pointed caption: "And yeah... I can see now." This appears to be a direct response to critics who questioned the severity of his eye injury following the Tszyu fight.
Tszyu Rules Out Rematch
Meanwhile, Nikita Tszyu has categorically ruled out any possibility of a rematch with Zerafa. "I'm closing the book on it. I'm just disappointed for everybody involved. I'm gutted for everyone," Tszyu stated, effectively ending speculation about a potential second bout between the two Australian fighters.
Looking Forward
Despite the controversy and personal toll, Zerafa maintains his fighting spirit remains intact. "I'm not done yet. I know a lot of people would like to see me done, but I've still got a fire burning," he declared during the podcast interview.
The boxer added: "I've got a lot of people to prove wrong, I'm hungrier and better things are coming. I've cleaned out my backyard, it's time to get back to where I belong, back with the bigger guys."
Zerafa also offered criticism of the boxing industry generally, noting: "Boxing is a beautiful sport, but there's too many people with their hands in it who are destroying it." While keeping a low profile over recent months, the fighter appears determined to return to competition and challenge top names in the sport.
