Tommy Browne vs Michael Zerafa August 28th, 2024
Michael Zerafa of Australia is back in the ring this Wednesday, August 28th when he takes on fellow countryman Tommy Browne. The eight-round junior middleweight fight can be seen live in Australia on Fox Sports, Kayo and Main Event. Zerafa last saw action in March when he was stopped in the second round by Erislandy Lara in a shot at the WBA ‘regular’ Middleweight Title while Browne boxed in June and beat Channarong Injampa via an eight-round unanimous decision for the WBC Asian Silver Junior Middleweight Title.
Lara vs Zerafa Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Tommy Browne +1000
- Michael Zerafa -2000
My Pick
The 32-year-old Zerafa of Melbourne was a relative unknown until stepping into the ring with former world champion Kell Brook in December, 2018. He showed a lot of heart but dropped a 12-round unanimous decision in England. Zerafa was also stopped by former world champ Peter Quillin in the fifth round in September, 2015 on a nationally-televised bout in North America and was beaten by Lara in his last outing in Las Vegas. Zerafa measures 5-feet-11-inches tall with a 71.5-inch wingspan and climbs into the ring with a mark of 31-5 with 19 Ko’s with 214 rounds of experience under his belt since turning pro in back in 2011.
He’s not a huge puncher but 61.3 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage, including three of his past four. Zerafa also gained a lot of worldwide recognition with his two bouts against former world champion Jeff Horn as he stopped him in the ninth round in 2019 but lost a 10-round majority decision in the rematch. His other pro loss was a unanimous decision at the hands of Arif Magomedov in October, 2014.
Zerafa has captured several regional and minor titles as a pro and has beaten Anthony Mundine and Isaac Hardman, but other than Lara, Horn, Quillin and Brook it’s pretty hard to recognize any of his other opponents. The pro belts he’s won include the WBA Oceania Light Middleweight Title, the Commonwealth (British Empire) Light Middleweight Title, the IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight Title, the WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Light Middleweight Title, and the the Australia – Victoria State Light Middleweight Title.
Browne is probably nearing the end of his career as he’s now 41 years old and makes the ring walk with a mark of 45-8-2 with 19 Ko’s. He made his pro debut 22 years ago in 2002 and has boxed a total of 338 rounds since. He measures 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 75-inch reach so is an inch shorter than Zerafa but has a 4.5-inch edge in reach. As far as power goes, 42.2 per cent of Browne’s wins have come by stoppage but he’s halted just two of his last six opponents.
Browne has been stopped in three of his eight defeats as he as halted in the 10th round by Chris John in 2005; by Leonardo Zappavigna in six rounds in 2008 in a shot at the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Junior Middleweight Belt and by Anthony Mundine in the second round in 2018 in a crack at the vacant WBO Oriental Middleweight Belt. Browne lost his pro debut on points to Russell Seddon over four rounds and has dropped decisions to Yasuo Kunimi, In Jin Chi in a shot at the WBC World Featherweight Title, William Kickett and Dennis Hogan.
The two draws on Browne’s record were with Samuel Colomban and Ryoma Nakano. As a pro he’s won several regional titles including the Australian National Boxing Federation New South Wales Lightweight, Australian Featherweight, WBC Youth World Featherweight, World Boxing Foundation Asia Pacific Lightweight, IBF Pan Pacific Super Featherweight, IBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight, Australian National Boxing Federation New South Wales Middleweight, Universal Boxing Organization International Super Welterweight and IBO Asia Pacific Super Welterweight Belts.
Prediction…
Zerafa has experience at the world level but has fallen short while Browne has racked up numerous titles in regional competition. Browne certainly has the edge in overall experience but is 41 years old. This is a must-win situation for Zerafa if he hopes to earn another world title shot down the road and if he isn’t able to beat Browne then his career is in trouble. I’m expecting Zerafa to bounce back from his recent loss to Erislandy Lara with a win here, likely by stoppage.
Zerafa’s a level above Browne and is nine years younger.
Play Zerafa -2000 @ BetOnline.ag
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Michael Zerafa betting • Tommy Browne betting