Boxing trainer Sam Labruna launches legal action against Michael Zerafa

Looming legal action brought by his former trainer Sam Labruna could make it extremely difficult for star boxer Michael Zerafa to land a world title shot.

Trainer Sam Labruna (left) has launched legal action against Michael Zerafa (right). Picture: Ian Currie

A boxing trainer has launched legal action against his star fighter over claims the middleweight champion walked out on their contract shortly after the trainer suffered a major stroke.

Sam Labruna has vowed to “get what’s mine” and is suing his former world-rated boxing talent Michael Zerafa in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Labruna collapsed at his home on June 5 last year after suffering a stroke and was unable to talk or move his limbs for weeks.

While he was in hospital recovering, Zerafa – nicknamed “Pretty Boy” – set about walking away from an allegedly valid contract and began organising his own fights, Labruna claims.

Zerafa would later sign with leading promoters No Limit Boxing, under a new manager in US-based Elvis Grant Phillips, to fight Italian born Danilo “Dash” Creati in November last year.

Michael Zerafa throws a punch during a fight. Picture: Getty Images

Labruna claims in court document this move breached their existing agreement, signed in 2018, and is suing for damages.

Zerafa is ranked as the No. 1 contender by the World Boxing Association and is hoping to land a world title shot against superstar Gennady Golovkin.

But it is understood the looming legal action will make it extremely difficult for promoters to organise a fight featuring Zerafa.

“The contract says in black and white, if for any reason he doesn’t fight, the contract extends for that period,” Labruna told the Herald Sun.

“We had Covid, he stated he couldn’t fight until after that, he’s jumped the gun... and now it’s going to cost them all,” he said.

“Now I had a stroke, and I was in hospital. Michael Zerafa thought, ‘This guy may never speak again’, and he’s decided to do this, instead of doing the manly thing, sit down and say ‘I want to go a new way’.

“I’ve been in rehab since June, but now I’m back to get what’s mine.”

Trainer Sam Labruna claims his former world-rated boxing talent Michael Zerafa breached his contract.

When contacted on Thursday, 30-year-old Zerafa referred questions on the matter to his lawyer, who did not wish to comment.

In a legal writ lodged just before Christmas, Labruna is claiming damages against Zerafa for taking part in the fight against Creati.

Labruna claims he had “the sole and exclusive right to secure and arrange all (Zerafa’s) professional boxing bouts” due to a managerial agreement made with the middleweight champ in July 2018, court documents state.

Labruna is also suing No Limit Boxing and Phillips over what he claims was a “tortious inducement of breach of contract”, stating the event company and trainer “procured, encouraged and induced” Zerafa into a new fight agreement “despite knowing (he) was bound by the Managerial Agreement”.

Labruna, represented by BlueRock Law, is seeking damages, interest and costs of the legal fight.

The Herald Sun understands No Limit did not sign Zerafa to a multi-fight promotional deal.

It was a one fight offer, on the understanding Zerafa was clear to compete because Labruna had lost his promoters’ license.

They did not wish to comment on the proceedings.

The matter will be listed for a Supreme Court hearing on a date yet to be fixed.