Horn v Zerafa II: Big right hands will stir Jeff Horn’s demons, says Michael Zerafa
Michael Zerafa reckons a couple of big right hands will stir the demons in Jeff Horn’s head.
Michael Zerafa reckons a couple of big right hands will stir the demons in Jeff Horn’s head.
“How can (it) not?” Zerafa said. “The man that is standing in front of you knocked you out 12 weeks ago. Surely there are things playing in his head.
“As soon as those big right hands land, he is going to be questioning himself. He is going to regret wanting to be in that ring and re-sign that contract.”
Zerafa speaks from experience. He was knocked out four years ago by Peter Quillin in the US but rebounded to win 10 of his next 11 fights, his only loss a points decision to English star Kell Brook.
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He has been at pains to point out his respect for what Horn has achieved but he questions whether the fire still burns in the former world champion — and a boxer without fight is like a painter without a canvas.
“It is a massive mental game,” Zerafa said. “I had to come home and rebuild. I know that is what has gone through his head millions of times. He doesn’t understand — this is an ego thing for him, this is my life.
“He is standing in my way of big paydays and a world title. I have already broken him. I have already broken him. I know that. We have answers for whatever he brings.”
Zerafa certainly had the answers a few months ago in Bendigo as he produced a stunning upset to derail Horn’s career.
A win would have catapulted Horn into another big-money world title fight. Instead, he was left to question whether he still had the hunger to scale the mountain.
He has learned lessons from the loss to Zerafa, listened to his camp and insists he will come back stronger tonight at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Easier said than done.
Some boxers bounce back from devastating defeat and quickly regain their equilibrium.
Philippines star Manny Pacquiao was dispatched by Juan Manual Marquez in spectacular fashion seven years ago but remains one of the biggest names in the sport.
Others struggle to recover. Mike Tyson was never the same after he was stunned by Buster Douglas.
Roy Jones Jr never truly recovered from defeat at the hands of Antonio Tarver, Danny Green among those to take advantage of his fragile confidence and, in later life, fragile jaw.
Horn now finds his career at the same point. He has been stopped in two of his past three fights, albeit one of those losses against Terence Crawford, arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The other defeat was to Zerafa but Horn has picked himself off the canvas and looked a leaner and fitter fighter when he fronted the media at Tuesday’s weigh-in.
He has dedicated himself in training but his greatest challenge may be a mental one as he attempts to rid his mind of doubt after that loss to Zerafa.
“The defeat wasn’t as bad as everyone says it was,” Horn’s trainer, Glenn Rushton, said.
“When you look at it, the punches that Michael Zerafa has thrown were more an annoyance. It was like a bee buzzing around. They were fast but they were not heavy punches.
“Jeff never actually got knocked down. He went down. He got pushed to the ground. It wasn’t brutal. When you suffer a brutal KO it does affect you mentally.
“But when it is like an avalanche of punches … it was more that. So it wasn’t a major issue. I don’t sense Jeff has suffered major mental anguish.”
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Zerafa would respectfully disagree. He has looked into Horn’s eyes — the pair faced off on Tuesday — and he sees weakness.
“I am always confident,” Zerafa said. “I am expecting a stronger and fitter Jeff Horn. But I am on another level now. I know every fighter says that but I truly believe this is the best camp I have ever had.
“As soon as the first right hand lands, the game changes. I don’t think he wants to be in there copping big right hands and left hooks all night.
“Like I said, hopefully his team is switched on and doesn’t let it go like last time. Jeff’s health is important and it is sport. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt.
“I am going out there to make a statement. Respect to him but it is my time.”
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TALE OF THE TAPE
JEFF HORN
• Age: 31
• Wins: 19 (13 KOs)
• Losses: 2
• Draws: 1
• Height: 175cm
• Reach: 173cm
• Weight: 72.2kg
MICHAEL ZERAFA
• Age: 27
• Wins: 27 (16 KOs)
• Losses: 3
• Draws: 0
• Height: 180cm
• Reach: 182cm
• Weight: 72.55kg
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
• WBA Oceania middleweight title
• WBO Oriental middleweight title
FULL CARD
• Jeff Horn v Michael Zerafa — middleweight (10 x 3 minute rounds), WBA Oceania Middleweight Title, WBO Oriental Middleweight Title
• Mauro Perouene v Liam Wilson — super featherweight (10 x 3 minute rounds), IBF Super Featherweight World Youth Title
• Tej Singh v Renold Quinlan — 75kg catchweight (8 x 3 minute rounds)
• Czar Amonsot v Andrew Hunt — welterweight (8 x 3 minute rounds)
• Nurshahidah Roslie v Neekz Johnson — 57kg catchweight (6 x 2 minute rounds)
Non-televised
• Billy Holland v Ben Horn — welterweight (4 x 3 minute rounds)
• Ricky Hunt v Connor Quinn — 59kg catchweight (4 x 3 minute rounds)
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