BoxRec

The date for the rematch has now been revealed. The team behind former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn have confirmed that he will take on Michael Zerafa in a contracted rematch in Brisbane on December 18.

The stage is set for a revenge match after Horn demanded the chance to make things right with Zerafa following his shock loss to the unheralded middleweight in Bendigo in August - which took place at the middleweight limit of 160-pounds.

There was a rematch clause that nobody expected Horn to exercise - and certainly Zerafa was shocked by the decision after battering and stopping Horn.

Zerafa and his team were outraged by the rematch decision, saying it would deny him a lucrative WBA middleweight title fight with Ryota Murata in Japan.

Horn was going to face Murata for the "regular" title in victory - but things didn't go his way and then everything was looked upon for Zerafa to get the shot.

The physically bigger fighter has vowed to end Horn's career in their rematch to be staged at the Brisbane Convention Centre after claiming his camp pleaded with Horn and his handlers to let him fight Murata, only to be knocked back.

Horn's camp have admitted they may have to talk about retirement if their charge suffers a second loss to Zerafa.

But camp insiders are confident that there won't be another upset, saying Horn had adopted a strict diet and new, disciplined training regime following his admission that he underestimated Zerafa and cut corners ahead of their August fight.

Horn hoped to fight at super welterweight but said he would still be confident if Zerafa insisted on staying at middleweight.

https://tinyurl.com/y6o6e3n9

Zerafa is gonna paste him.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑31 Oct 2019, 07:14 Zerafa is gonna paste him.

Agree. Im going with a decision this time thou.

Paci wrote: ↑31 Oct 2019, 07:15

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑31 Oct 2019, 07:14 Zerafa is gonna paste him.

Agree. Im going with a decision this time thou.

If Horn really did underestimate him.

His trainer seriously pisses me off.

Zerafa is gonna be pissed he’s missing out on a Murata payday.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑31 Oct 2019, 07:17

Paci wrote: ↑31 Oct 2019, 07:15

Agree. Im going with a decision this time thou.

If Horn really did underestimate him.

His trainer seriously pisses me off.

Zerafa is gonna be pissed he’s missing out on a Murata payday.

Yeah, and a belt.

Might change my mind about it going to a decision. Horn might retire after this beating.

Horn should recollect and win it with easy, but i am not entirely sure about that.

In hindsight, I think the signs were there quite early in the first fight that Horn may have cut corners in his training. I thought he could've been having a 'flat' day, but his comments afterwards confirmed he hadn't applied himself right for the fight.

Added to this, I think Zerafa fought the fight of his life. I also think a refocused and recalibrated Jeff Horn will stop Zerafa in the rematch.

I don’t doubt Horns mental strength although I doubt his skills and trainer. Zeraafa has good fundamentals, he’s probably as physically strong as horn, something which Was usually an advantage for him (Horn). Maybe that’s all he needs to beat horn again.

Michael Zerafa in Agony After The Tragic Death of Dwight Ritchie

Australian middleweight contender Michael Zerafa is in agony in the aftermath of the tragic sparring accident which led to the death of close friend Dwight Ritchie.

"There are simply no words to describe how I am feeling right now," Zerafa stated to Exclusive Insight. "Dwight was one of the most humble people I have ever met.

"We had known each other since we were teenagers, when we were just starting out in the sport. And for the past 10 years, Dwight and I had been supporting each other inside and outside of the ring.

"There had always been a professional and mutual respect between us. (Saturday) was an absolute tragedy, and as tough as it is right now for myself, I can only imagine how difficult the past 24 hours has been for Dwight’s family.

"My heart bleeds for his three children and his beautiful partner. I have spoken to the family and given my deepest condolences. The boxing community has lost a truly great person and I have lost a mate."

https://tinyurl.com/ZerafaAgony

Rematch is more anticipated than the first bout.

Many will say Horn didn’t take Zerafa seriously at all the first bout.

Michael Zerafa Warns Jeff Horn: I'm Ending Your F---ing Career!

A confident Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa states he'll finish Jeff Horn early in their rematch on December 18 at the Brisbane exhibition and convention centre.

"Confidence is running high, camp has been perfect, I've lifted a few levels since beating Horn. I’m going to walk straight through him and stop him early, he's got nothing!" said Zerafa.

Zerafa 27-3 ( 16 KO's ) had his stock certainly rise on August 31st of this year when he controlled and stopped former WBO welterweight world champion Horn 19-3 ( 13 KO's ).

Zerafa was very outspoken about the contractual rematch preventing him from taking a lucrative fight with Ryota Murata for the WBA "regular" middleweight world title.

He was certainly in line to fight Murata, but Horn exercised an immediate rematch clause.

"I beat him easy the first time! Rematches are for close or disputed fights. Horn is a sook and I've spent every day since then focused on putting his boxing career away for good. Mark my words, I will retire Horn December 18," Zerafa stated.

Horn's team offered substantial cash bonuses if Zerafa dropped down to 154lbs but Zerafa wanted nothing to do with it.

"Horn's team think they know what they're doing but they have no idea! Everybody in boxing knows, the media knows, the fans know, but Horn and his team still cannot figure out that he's not a middleweight," voiced Zerafa.

"All I want right now is Horn. He's made it personal. He could have been a good guy and let me go make some big money. I agreed to fight him after the Murata fight but he started sooking so I'm going to make him pay, I've lost all respect for him, this is personal!"

At the final press conference, Zefara warned Horn to his face that he made a very big mistake in taking the fight.

"You don't have my power, I'm going to knock you out, I'm ending your f---ing career," Zerafa said.

Weigh in



Zerafa: 160 pounds
Horn: 159¼ pounds

How to watch Horn vs Zerafa 2

The Australian boxing fans can watch the rematch between Jeff Horn and Michael Zerafa live on Main Event on Foxtel. The date and time is set for Wednesday, December 18 at 7 pm AEDT (8am UK time).

Price - $59.95

Horn vs Zerafa 2 undercard

Horn vs Zerafa 2 headlines the fight card billed as “The Reckoning”. The co-main event features Liam Wilson up against Mauro Preouene in IBF super featherweight world youth title fight. The complete lineup can be found below.

Jeff Horn vs. Michael Zerafa

Liam Wilson vs. Mauro Perouene

Renold Quinlan vs. Tej Pratap Singh

Andrew Hunt vs. Czar Amonsot

Cherneka Johnson vs. Nurshahidah Roslie

Ben Horn vs. Billy Holland

Put welterweight Andrew Hunt on your prospect watchlist chaps

KiwiRider wrote: ↑18 Dec 2019, 05:52 Put welterweight Andrew Hunt on your prospect watchlist chaps

You ordered this?

“The glove drama, according to Zerafa’s manager, Brendan Bourke: Zerafa’s gloves came in yesterday, but Horn’s didn’t arrive until today. After seeing both pairs of gloves, Glenn Rushton said he liked Zerafa’s better, and wants to use Zerafa’s second pair 1/2,” Brendan Bradford reported.

Results

Renold Quinlan and Tej Pratap Singh went a full eight-round distance at 75 kg cathweight. The latter took the win by majority decision.

Andrew Hunt came out victorious from his eight-round welterweight matchup against Czar Amonsot by unanimous decision.

Women’s six-round catchweight battle between Nurshahidah Roslie and Cherneka Johnson ended in favor of the latter, who scored a unanimous decision.

Jeff Horn’s brother, Ben Horn defeated Billy Holland also by unanimous decision after four rounds.

Results

Liam Wilson controlled the IBF super featherweight world youth title fight against Mauro Perouene. Perouene was cut, while Wilson was throwing bombs. Nevertheless the encounter went a full ten-round distance. The verdict heard a unanimous decision in favor of Wilson.

MAIN EVENT

Horn started the action, yet got cut as early as in Round 1. He also appeared dominant in the second round, yet lost the third. Both seem to be getting tired in Round 4.

Horn also won both the fifth and sixth rounds, but was warned again in Round 5 for hitting behind the head. He continued the pressure in the seventh. Zerafa tried to turn it around and might have taken the round. The fast pace through round eight slowed Horn down.

Look's like Horn is going for a standard UD..

Horn seemed done in the ninth round, but came back and knocked Zerafa down twice.