Zerafa keen to put critics in their place following title shot
“I can’t wait to bring the world title home,” said Zerafa, who is riding a four-fight winning streak.
“It’s been a crazy journey, I’ve had my criticism, but I won’t stop until I get that world title.
“It’s my time.”
Zerafa is also No.1 with the WBA and in line for a second world-title shot with that organisation.
It caps a remarkable resurrection for Zerafa. His career was seemingly in tatters after he was crucified for sensationally withdrawing just a week out from his Australian super fight against Tszyu in July 2021.
While Tszyu patiently waits for his crack at Jermell Charlo after an injury to the American forced their unification bout to be postponed, Zerafa now has some serious bargaining power.
Zerafa recently said he hadn’t ruled out a longawaited grudge match with Tszyu, especially if one, or both, can clinch world titles in the coming months.
“It’s funny how the wheel turns. Everything happens for a reason,” Zerafa said.
“Apparently I was too scared to fight Tim, but the proof is there now. I have a world-title shot. I hold a key to the kingdom.”
Zerafa’s last world-title shot was in 2015, when, at age 23, he was carried out on a stretcher in his American debut after being pummelled by Peter Quillin.
It remains the only knockout of his 35-fight professional career.
Falcao is signed to American boxing kingpin Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable. But with the Brazilian not a big name in the US market, Zerafa’s promoters are in the box seat to bring the IBF world-title battle to Australia.
“I would love to bring a world-title fight to my hometown (Melbourne) and Australia,” he said.
“I’m so glad that all the hard work has paid off.”