BoxRec

Chris Eubank Jr return ‘100 per cent agreed’ to fight former Kell Brook rival

Michael Zerafa is confident he'll be the man to welcome Chris Eubank Jr back to the ring.

Zerafa, who lost to Kell Brook on points in Sheffield eight years ago, has claimed his team has agreed terms with Eubank Jr's and securing funding is the only obstacle to staging the bout on home soil.

The 34-year-old from Australia was in a fight marred by controversy last time out, as his highly anticipated clash against Nikita Tszyu for the vacant IBO International middleweight title in January ended in a no-contest.

Zerafa was accused by members of the boxing fraternity of quitting, having told the referee that he couldn't see out of one eye due to a cut from an earlier head clash.

'Pretty Boy' further angered fans when he made a U-turn on his stance post-fight — something he puts down to simply panicking during the situation.

Eubank Jr told me he wants to fight, Zerafa claims
Well, speaking to Sporting News, Zerafa claims he can come back with a bang against Eubank Jr.

"[Eubank Jr] said, ‘You’re the next guy I want to fight, how do we make it happen?" he explained.

"If you get the money we want, consider it done.'"

Eubank Jr hasn't fought since losing a rematch to Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November.

The Englishman's future in the sport was then thrown into limbo when he opened up on undisclosed 'health issues' he'd been dealing with just weeks later.

Free agent Michael Zerafa nearing catchweight date with Chris Eubank Jnr

Michael Zerafa has agreed to fight Chris Eubank Jnr after parting ways with No Limit.

The Australian’s agreement with the promotional organisation ended in the aftermath of his no contest in January with Nikita Tszyu, and he is ready to fight Eubank Jnr at a catchweight in the region of 164lbs in his home city of Melbourne in August or September.

Eubank Jnr’s rematch with Conor Benn at middleweight in November ended in defeat, perhaps partly because of his ongoing struggles to make 160lbs, and though his desire is to fight at super middleweight, according to Zerafa he is willing to compromise to participate in a contest that was almost made in 2024.

The Briton instead then fought and stopped Kamil Szeremeta, but with both of their options limited they have identified each other as suitable opponents against which to attempt to revive their careers, and to that end a potentially popular British-Australian match-up could be next.

“We’ve agreed,” the 34-year-old Zerafa told BS. “The fight’s real. Talk’s real. They want to come to Australia. They’ve seen the fights with [George] Kambosos and [Devin] Haney – the two fights there [in Melbourne]. They’ve seen the [Jeff] Horn and [Manny] Pacquiao fights.

“I’m a free agent, after the last saga, and we mutually went our ways. We left on good terms. But I’ve been talking to a few promoters and the guys that organised the Haney-Kambosos fights, and there’s a lot of people putting their hands up. It all comes down to who’s the better offer.

“I was one of four potential opponents in 2024. The name is royalty, with his old man and whatnot, so the fight was exciting but it didn’t come through – I moved on in my career. The last two or three weeks they’ve reached out again – I’ve been talking to his manager, who’s done interviews – and the fight’s real.

“They wanted to fight in Melbourne – it’s a financial thing, too, they’re not going to come down for peanuts. But I’ve got great backing for the Australian Government. We’ve got meetings, but it’s all looking positive.

“He tried to get me to 168. I said ‘I’m not going up that much’. I’m not the biggest middleweight, so I shut that down pretty quickly, but he was more than happy to meet somewhere in the middle – 74[kgs]; he goes down 1.5, I go up 1.5; we meet somewhere 74, 74.5 – and if the money’s good, which it will be, he’s more than happy to work with that.

“I love the opportunity of a big fight. I love being the underdog. I like testing myself, and this is what it’s all about. Eubank’s a huge name, and I’d love the opportunity.”

Zerafa’s reputation was undermined by the controversial conclusion to his fight with Tszyu, but he considers what he hopes will prove a high-profile occasion against the 36-year-old Eubank Jnr to be what he requires to rebuild it.

“Going out there, fighting a name like Eubank – he’ll be the favourite; I’ll be the underdog – and getting the win, what happened in the past needs to be forgotten, ‘cause I’ve gone out and done something even greater,” he said. “A knockout or a win against someone of the calibre of Chris Eubank is definitely better than a no contest against Tszyu.

“Full credit to Team Eubank. He’s willing to get on a plane and come to me. They know the fights that can be put on here in Australia and he wants to be amongst that.”

Junior earned £10m in his last fight

If he gets paid a purse commensurate with the revenue this fight would generate he’ll be lucky to get 6 figures. Why would he bother ?

CaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑31 Mar 2026, 17:12 Junior earned £10m in his last fight

If he gets paid a purse commensurate with the revenue this fight would generate he’ll be lucky to get 6 figures. Why would he bother ?

And why roll the dice with Zerafa after his last outing?

Or why not just sail off into the sunset as a middle aged man with millions in the bank and two new babies to look after.

His future’s bright. A guy like him who’s clearly intelligent and articulate and charismatic won’t be short of opportunities to work in the media in some capacity and he can always go down the jungle / dancing / ice skating celebrity road to earn a few quid if need be.

CaptainSpacerod wrote: ↑01 Apr 2026, 11:42 Or why not just sail off into the sunset as a middle aged man with millions in the bank and two new babies to look after.

His future’s bright. A guy like him who’s clearly intelligent and articulate and charismatic won’t be short of opportunities to work in the media in some capacity and he can always go down the jungle / dancing / ice skating celebrity road to earn a few quid if need be.

yeah, I have no wish to see Eubank fight again. his time has come and gone, and for whatever reason he never got a bigger fight than BJS and Groves (both still big fights) - both of which he lost. I did wonder whether something would click and he'd show us he was world level but he chose the money instead. clearly a smart guy who knew his best path

DOUBT VERY MUCH THIS WILL HAPPEN ,,, No one in Australia with half a brain is going to put this on , not after Zerafas last shambles with Nikita , he just out and out dogged it , , trying to talk up his relevence which is Zero , And even if they do find a millionaire willing to throw his money away its not going past one rnd , unless Eubank carrys him

Chris Eubank Jr vs Michael Zerafa Moves Ahead — But No Deal Signed

Talks for a fight between Chris Eubank Jr. and Michael Zerafa are gathering pace — but nothing is signed, and the bigger picture remains far from settled.

World Boxing News understands discussions are advancing toward a potential stadium event in Australia, with venue and promotional details now being worked on behind the scenes.

However, Eubank’s team has made it clear that while Zerafa is firmly in the frame, no agreement has been reached and other options remain available.

Eubank Jr vs. Zerafa Interest

Eubank manager Elliot “Napper” Amoakoh confirmed to spam that negotiations are progressing, but stopped short of suggesting a deal is close.

“These talks are real for a fight with Michael Zerafa and we are very interested in fighting in Australia in a stadium event,” Amoakoh said.

Zerafa, speaking to WBN, said the situation is gathering pace from his side as talks continue.

“It’s moving quickly now. There’s real momentum behind it and we’re pushing to get it done,” Zerafa told World Boxing News.

The renewed push comes after an earlier attempt to make the fight stalled in 2024, as both sides lean into the UK vs. Aussie rivalry as a key selling point.

“The fight with Michael Zerafa nearly happened in 2024 on a Riyadh show, but we are happy the talks have started again for it to be even bigger in 2026,” added Amoakoh.

Amoakoh also pointed to the scale being targeted, referencing previous stadium events involving George Kambosos Jr., Devin Haney, Manny Pacquiao, and Jeff Horn as a benchmark for what Eubank vs. Zerafa could become.

For now, the fight is gaining traction — but with other options still in play, nothing is locked in.

Chris Eubank Jr. now has multiple routes in play, with the sudden push toward Zerafa adding to an already unsettled picture.

While talks are progressing, Zerafa is not yet the only direction on the table.

Eubank needs a win to rebuild confidence at 168 pounds, making Zerafa a practical next step. From there, attention could turn toward a world title opportunity in 2027, potentially against the winner of a proposed Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli fight.

One of the enduring mysteries of boxrec: Zerafa split bouts with bloated welterweight Jeff Horn, lost every round to a past-it Kell Brook, KO’d a grandfatherly Anthony Mundine, got KO’d in two by an almost equally ancient Lara, quit vs Tsyzu and is still ranked #8 by boxrec and in line for a nice payday vs Eubank. Good management really pays

giacomino wrote: ↑17 Apr 2026, 08:58 One of the enduring mysteries of boxrec: Zerafa split bouts with bloated welterweight Jeff Horn, lost every round to a past-it Kell Brook, KO’d a grandfatherly Anthony Mundine, got KO’d in two by an almost equally ancient Lara, quit vs Tsyzu and is still ranked #8 by boxrec and in line for a nice payday vs Eubank. Good management really pays

I agree, I'm not sure why any rating entity would have him in the top 25, much less the top 10. It does make one scratch their head.

After the debacle with the younger Tszyu, I'm surprised anyone would take a risk with Zerafa, who is pretty much a domestic-level fighter who hasn't fared well when stepping up. That being said, Eubank better have the contract drafted so that he gets paid not matter what happens - or doesn't happen.

MPW wrote: ↑17 Apr 2026, 11:30

giacomino wrote: ↑17 Apr 2026, 08:58 One of the enduring mysteries of boxrec: Zerafa split bouts with bloated welterweight Jeff Horn, lost every round to a past-it Kell Brook, KO’d a grandfatherly Anthony Mundine, got KO’d in two by an almost equally ancient Lara, quit vs Tsyzu and is still ranked #8 by boxrec and in line for a nice payday vs Eubank. Good management really pays

I agree, I'm not sure why any rating entity would have him in the top 25, much less the top 10. It does make one scratch their head.

After the debacle with the younger Tszyu, I'm surprised anyone would take a risk with Zerafa, who is pretty much a domestic-level fighter who hasn't fared well when stepping up. That being said, Eubank better have the contract drafted so that he gets paid not matter what happens - or doesn't happen.

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Chris Eubank Jr Return “So Close” as Zerafa Deal Nears Completion

Chris Eubank Jr’s return is now “so close,” as talks accelerate toward a fight with Michael Zerafa, according to his prospective opponent.

The long-discussed matchup, which has been under discussion for several weeks, now sees both sides indicating the bout is moving toward completion.

Zerafa has now given WBN the clearest signal yet of how far negotiations have progressed.

“It’s moving quickly now and we’re pushing to get it done,” Zerafa told World Boxing News, before adding the fight is now “so close” to being agreed.

The confidence from Zerafa’s side is now being matched by signals from Eubank’s team, with his manager Elliot Amoakoh previously confirming genuine interest in taking the fight to Australia.

NONITO DONAIRE GUNNING FOR JASON MOLONEY ON RUMORED EUBANK-ZERAFA BILL

For those who thought Nonito Donaire would bring the curtain down on his Hall of Fame career after defeat by Riku Masuda on March 15, think again.

The 43-year-old former four-weight world champion wants to face one-time WBO bantamweight champion Jason Moloney in Australia later this year.

"We're gunning for Jason Moloney in Australia underneath Michael Zerafa and Chris Eubank Jr., so that's gonna be a very, very big fight," Donaire told The Ring. "I think they're looking at September, they're just finalizing everything.

"I'm going to be helping Zerafa before as a trainer. I'll most likely be in his corner for that fight as well as fighting underneath."

Donaire and Moloney had been linked with fighting back in 2023 after Naoya Inoue vacated his Ring and undisputed bantamweight titles. The two were in line to contest the vacant WBC title, before Moloney elected to go the WBO route.

Ultimately, Moloney claimed the WBO strap with a 12-round majority decision against Vincent Astrolabio, while Donaire was outhustled by Mexico's Alexandro Santiago over 12 rounds. It's a situation Donaire has not forgotten.

"There's nothing else he has an excuse for, we were slated to fight once and they moved to go into a different direction," said Donaire. "But this time, I'm coming into his hometown, his country and there is no more excuses, it has to happen."

It would have come as no surprise had Donaire, who has been a professional since February 2001, decided to retire but he says that was never on the agenda.
"This is where my excitement comes from because I love boxing. I love to fight, being in that ring," he said.

"People always say, 'Why are you still fighting?' Because I love this, I know it's still safe for me, still competitive, still good at this, I love it and it's what I'm going to be doing for as long as I can. I'm still gunning for anybody out there."

Rather than be deterred after being stopped by Masuda, he's doubled down in his belief.

"It was more realization that I have to trust myself more than anyone else," he said.

"I've done this numerous times, for decades and I know what I'm capable of. Trusting my corner and [his wife, trainer] Rachel. There is no doubt. I didn't get hurt, no headache, nothing like that, I got cut here and there. I don't see any quit in me, I'm going to do this for as long my body can give."

It's no longer about winning world titles; it's a deep desire to keep challenging himself with the belief that he's a better person because of boxing.

"It's not so much the belts, I've done them all already but I'm going to gun for the best out there," he said.

"Being inside that ring, there is pure joy in myself, training, I'm good to my kids and my wife, when I'm in the gym, my mind is great and I look forward and I'm happier. It says everything about me as a human being when I'm in that ring because I am very disciplined when I have something to look forward to, rather than not.

"The worst part of me is when I'm complacent about life and that's something I don't want. I want to be challenged, to get better, stronger, improve my mind, body and spirit."