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Most boxers grow accustomed to the gruelling process to just get in the ring and compete.
Training camp, cut weight – then fight. It can be a cruel cycle but it gives all fighters a sense of routine.
But what happens when there’s no fight to prepare for?
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Rising fighters building a record and reputation seldom have to worry about such problems, but the higher one climbs, the cold hard realities of the boxing world become apparent.
MMA fighters, especially those competing in the UFC, are on a continual loop due to the company’s broadcast deal and its mission statement, which aims to create a week-in-week out fight league. And since all the fighters are contracted to one organisation, and they decide, who fights, when and where, competitors and fans have more to chew on.
But the boxing world is the polar opposite, with several different factions trumpeting their own champions, in a divided landscape that can lead to long bouts of inactivity for fighters near the apex.
That’s where Aussie Michael Zerafa, finds himself.
Zerafa, who is ranked No.1 in the WBA, was paid a six figure sum to step aside and allow champion Erislandy Lara to fight Danny Garcia in August. But the fight has been delayed.
Under the deal, Zerafa is to fight as the co-main event on the same card, and will fight the winner within 120 days, guaranteeing him a shot at the WBA world title before the end of the year.
But as is the case with boxing, Zerafa has been forced to wait, uncertain when he will get his chance. There are whispers Lara v Garcia may find itself on the Canelo v Charlo card, but that’s yet to be confirmed. What is certain is that the Aussie will get his shot, but when is the massive question.
The Victorian was due to enter training camp in Las Vegas ahead of his co-main event bout, but amid the political back and forth around the fight, he also received news nobody wants to hear.
“My sister copped pretty bad breast cancer,” Zerafa told Wide World of Sports. “I was meant to leave two weeks prior to when I found out.
“Then we got a call saying we’re going to postpone it a little bit. But it worked out OK because now here with the family for a different fight. I’m fighting in the ring. She’s fighting outside the ring.
“Everything has come at once but you try and stay positive. It’s worked out for the best (not fighting).”
The star boxer has dealt with long bouts of inactivity before, fighting just four times since 2019 , with his last win a decision victory over Danilo Creati in November last year.
Zerafa said not being able to fight in the past was difficult, but this time around, he feels there’s still some fighting to do, just not inside the ring.
“She’s been dealing with some pretty bad stuff,” he added. “Lucky it all worked out that I’ve been here to support her. It’s super hard but I remind myself of the end goal.
“She’s got a long road to recovery. She’s already had one operation. She’s going back and forth now to have more operations. They’re trying to clean up all the cancer. It was a pretty nasty job.”
When he does eventually fight on the Lara v Garcia card, it will be just his second bout in the US.
Zerafa’s only other appearance there was a fifth-round knockout at the hands of then-unbeaten Peter Quillin in September 2015. While he’s never won outside of Australia, the Aussie worked his way up to be in line for both the WBA and IBF belts.
However, he gave up the chance to fight for the IBF strap to focus on the WBA title.
”Every day I remind myself of the end goal and that’s to be a world champion and to have a healthy sibling,” he added.
