- Michael Zerafa’s brother punched a rival coach
- His brother was banned from leaving home for life for the horrific incident
- Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.
The brother of Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has been handed a lifetime ban and is under police investigation after punching an opponent’s trainer during a post-fight brawl in the ring.
Zerafa earned a TKO victory against Tommy Browne on Wednesday night, but the win was overshadowed when Jason-Manuel Zerafa threw a punch at Browne’s trainer, Tommy Mercuri, after the two corners exchanged words.
Browne suffered a biceps injury in the first round of the fight and did not come out of his corner for the second round, a move that appeared to infuriate his opponent.
Zerafa, unimpressed by his opponent’s withdrawal, vented his anger at Browne with a verbal tirade, prompting the loser’s trainer, Tommy Mercuri, to march the boxer across the ring.
This caused a crowd of people from both sides to enter the square circle, and Zerafa’s brother stepped through the ropes and headed straight for Mercuri.
He was then seen landing a right hook on the trainer’s chin in shocking scenes.
On Thursday, New South Wales Police confirmed that detectives were conducting further investigations into the incident.
“At approximately 10 p.m. (Wednesday) police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention center… when a 26-year-old man assaulted a 60-year-old man during the event,” police said in a statement.
Tommy Browne’s trainer was beaten by Michael Zerafa’s brother in horrific scenes
‘Officers intervened and came to the aid of the elderly man, who suffered minor injuries that did not require treatment.’
Promoter No Limit Boxing confirmed it had issued Jason-Manuel Zerafa a lifetime ban for the “unacceptable” incident.
“He will be banned from attending all No Limit Boxing events in the future… the NSW Combat Sports Authority has been informed of the decision ahead of any further disciplinary action they may choose to take,” the company said in a statement.
Michael Zerafa posted on Instagram after the fight at the ICC Theatre in Sydney and appeared to suggest his brother had been defending him after an attack from the opposite corner.
Zerafa has defended his team for their conduct, insisting that Browne’s team instigated the drama.
“Everyone turned against my brother, but no one said anything about his coach’s attacks on me,” she said in a post.
“Team Browne started it, Team Zerafa finished it.”
The fight was the co-main event of a card headlined by Nikita Tszyu’s ninth-round TKO victory over Koen Mazoudier.
Michael Zerafa fought for the WBA middleweight title in March, but was stopped by Cuban Erislandy Lara.