Zerafa’s team consult lawyers, prepare protest over Horn fight

Michael Zerafa and his team are calling in the lawyers to protest Jeff Horn’s win in Brisbane on Wednesday night, following a controversial call by referee John Cauchi when the hometown hero was badly hurt in Round 9.

Jeff Horn celebrates his win over Michael Zerafa. Picture: Getty Images

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Angry Michael Zerafa is consulting his lawyers and is ready to lodge an official protest over his loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane on Wednesday night.

Horn won a 10-round decision at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre but only after surviving a dramatic ninth round when he saved himself from disaster by dropping the Melbourne fighter twice.

Zerafa and his team through co-manager, Brendan Bourke, have been in discussions with their lawyers to discuss their options.

Zerafa said he expected Sydney referee John Cauchi to stop the fight in his favour when he had Horn cut and wobbling in the ninth round. Instead, with 72 seconds left in the round, Cauchi called a time-out and took Horn to ringside doctor Ben Manion to see if the fight should be stopped because of the cut.

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Michael Zerafa had Jeff Horn in trouble in Round 9. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Manion allowed the fight to continue and Horn then saved his career by decking Zerafa twice.

The Zerafa camp claim the respite Horn received while the cut over his left eye was being checked stalled Zerafa’s momentum and gave Horn a chance to gain his second win.

``Everyone knows the fight should have been stopped in the ninth,’’ Zerafa said.

``I was all over him. Until the ref took him to the doctor he didn’t throw a punch in the round. I didn’t even know stopping the fight like that was allowed. The ref randomly said `Stop’ as Jeff’s corner was about to throw the towel in.’’

Brendan Bourke said: “As a team we’ve sat down watched and re-watched the fight and we have some concerns about a number of things that happened during the fight that shouldn’t have.

Jeff Horn celebrates his win over Michael Zerafa. Picture: Getty Images

“If the calls to my phone since the fight are anything to go by these concerns aren’t limited to me or the team. Many people in the boxing community have contacted me and have raised the same issues.

``We have more than a week before we lodge a protest and we want this to be dealt with properly and we want it dealt with it respectfully to both Michael and Jeff. Those boys left it all in the ring on Wednesday night and that is to be commended. That fight was an absolute cracker and will go down as a classic in Australian boxing.

``This isn’t about Jeff Horn or his camp. It’s about the integrity of Australian boxing.

“What comes after the process has concluded can be a matter for public consumption. Until then, we will work through the appropriate processes respectfully and ensure our submissions to all relevant parties clearly outline our concerns.

Jeff Horn knocks down Michael Zerafa during their middleweight bout at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on December 18. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“We know the Horn camp would do the same thing and we’ve informed them of our decision to lodge the protest. It’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly but at the end of the day, this is about making sure Michael does not lose the opportunities he has worked hard for as a professional athlete in circumstances that should never have eventuated in a professional boxing environment.

``The bout was sanctioned by the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organisation. The local commission was the Australian National Boxing Federation. Under the WBA’s rules an appeal must be lodged within 10 days. If the decision is overturned the fight may be determined a no contest or a rematch could be ordered.

“If a rematch is ordered, that’s what we will do. If the fight is determined a no-contest then we’ll look for other and better opportunities for Michael. But let’s get this issue sorted before we look to the future.”