Zerafa Upsets Horn!
Earlier today in Bendigo, Australia, Michael Zerafa played spoiler, crushing the hopes of Jeff Horn. He managed a significant upset, stopping the former WBO world welterweight champion in nine rounds. This dampens the outlook for Horn, who was eyeing a potential world title opportunity later this year.
THE BREAKDOWN
Zerafa got off hot early as he knocked down Horn by way of a left hook and follow-up right hand. Things got worse for Horn as he was cut over his left eye as a result of a headbutt.
Horn gained his bearings and got back into the bout in rounds four, five and six. However, the veteran Zerafa proved himself to be a sturdy foe. He gave as good as he received in this domestic showdown.
Though Zerafa is known little more than an average fighter, the 27-year old was the bigger man and the natural middleweight. For the 31-year old former welterweight, the pace, as well as having to deal with the size and strength of Zerafa was starting to show.
By round seven, Zerafa had regained control of the fight and in the eighth, Horn was fatigued and a bit lucky to survive the round.
Sensing Horn had little left, Zerafa went for the finish in the ninth. A flurry of punches put Horn down with a minute to go in the round. While Horn got up, he did so on badly shaky legs and exhausted. Zerafa swarmed in with punches, further hurting Horn and leaving the referee no choice but to step in and stop the fight with 36 seconds to go in the round.
This was a devastating loss for Horn. A win for Horn would have meant a fight against WBA world middleweight champion Ryota Murata, which was planned for December 23 in Japan. As for Zerafa, this has to be considered the biggest win of his career.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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