Michael Zerafa’s brother cops life ban as police investigate ugly boxing scenes

The brother of Michael Zerafa has been banned for life after the ugly scenes on Wednesday night but Team Zerafa has hit back.

The brother of Aussie boxer Michael Zerafa has been handed a life ban after he rushed the ring to punch veteran trainer Tommy Mercuri in ugly scenes on Wednesday night.

Facing the 41-year-old Browne, Zerafa had just one round before his rival was forced to pull out of the fight after suffering a serious biceps injury — and that was when all hell broke loose.

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Zerafa directed some choice words at the Browne corner, with the 60-year-old Mercuri reacting and pushing and shoving with Zerafa.

But as security and the Rose brothers of promoters No Limit Boxing stepped in to separate the pair, Zerafa’s brother Jason-Manuel ran into the ring, before connecting with a punch to the face of Mercuri.

Jason-Manuel was escorted out of the arena after the incident.

No Limit’s Matt Rose told reports “we don’t accept that sort of behaviour at all” at the time.

But the promoters responded on Thursday, revealing the organisation had “issued a life ban to the brother of Michael Zerafa following last night’s unacceptable incident in Sydney”.

He will be barred from attending all No Limit Boxing fight nights in future.

The Combat Sports Authority of NSW have been informed of the decision ahead of any additional disciplinary action they may elect to proceed with.

George Rose of No Limit Boxing said: “What happened last night is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated at any of our fight nights.”

Zerafa's brother threw a punch in ugly scenes. Photo: Fox Sports

It comes as NSW Police revealed it was investigating the incident.

“About 10pm yesterday (Wednesday 28 August 2024), police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention centre on Darling Drive, Sydney, when a 26-year-old man assaulted a 60-year-old man during the event,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Officers intervened and went to the assistance of the older man, who suffered minor injuries which did not require treatment.

“Detectives are conducting further enquiries.”

While Mercuri hit out at the Zerafa camp after the fight calling the punch “a dog shot” and labelling the Melburnian’s team “clowns”, Zerafa and his brother hit back.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Zerafa blamed Mercuri for the incident getting out of control.

“Obviously straight after the fight. Me and Tommy were saying some words back and forth and then his trainer comes slinging his arms around and not one person did anything,” Zerafa said.

“There was no security who jumped in, Matt Rose had to jump in. I was just pushing him away because he was in my face and slinging my hands.

“And then my brother jumped in, which was wrong, but it escalated because Tommy’s trainer was out of control.

“No trainer should be doing that to a fighter, swinging their arms in the face of the rival fighter.”

Zerafa also called for Mercuri to be banned for his actions, stating his brother hadn’t seen the referee wave off the fight.

Zerafa also took to Instagram, writing: “So everyone turning on my bro, but no one saying nothing about his trainer taking swings at me.

“Trainer tried to attack me and my bro is the bad guy come on guys!!”

Tommy Mercuri took exception to something that was said. Photo: Fox Sports

Jason-Manuel also defended himself on social media, writing: “Tommy Browne’s corner attempting to attack @michael_zerafa after Michael got the Win, I did what ANY brother would’ve done.”

Over another highlight, he added: “Cannot play the victim after attempting to attack a fighter.”

Mercuri said he was provoked by Zerafa, who “has come over calling him a dog, saying he quit”.

As Browne came over to show that his bicep was in fact injured, Zerafa kept saying “you quit”, while Browne questioned whether he should fight him with one arm.

The sledge comes after Browne told CODE Sports that Zerafa had “quit” against Lara in the lead up, which Rose revealed was the catalyst for the bad blood.

The unsavoury scenes overshadowed what was an excellent night of boxing, which saw Nikita Tszyu win an absolute war over Koen Mazoudier.

But the incident left the commentators with a bad taste in their mouths.

Watching a replay of the incident in the ring, commentators Jonathan Brown said on Main Event: “That’s just wrong.”

Two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter added: “I want to see that go to court. That’s just unacceptable. And Michael knows that if his brother has the ability to do that, he shouldn’t be in my corner.”

“That’s almost life ban stuff,” Badel said. “It’s a shame but I don’t think Zerafa’s cornerman or brother, whoever it is, should be involved in boxing again. That was disgraceful.”

Porter added: “If anything, that might be the first time he’s come to the ring with his brother – that should be his last time. That’s unacceptable.”