March 29, 2024

It seems that Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is not the only one that had restored order in the boxing world. Former WBO Welterweight champ Jeff Horn, had restored the order of things in Australian boxing, in a spectacular domination of the man who gave him his shock loss in August, Michael Zerafa.

Horn v Zerafa 2 was certainly redemption for Horn as the Queenslander dominated the fight held at the Brisbane Entertainment and Convention Centre on Wednesday night Australian time.

In an ironic twist Horn wore Zerafa’s own second pair of gloves in the fight.

Horn came out all guns blazing from the opening round and the battle left both men bloody and batted.

Horn was tagged Zerafa a number of times with Zerafa being unable to answer back. Both men received bad cuts due to head clashes.

Although gassed a little in the seventh and eighth rounds, it was the ninth where Horn showed true guts determination. Zerafa hit Horn with some heavy shots in the ninth and this was looking similar to the first fight, but the referee stopped the fight to allow the doctor to check on Horn’s cut and he was allowed to continue. Horn came back with a vengeance to drop Zerafa with a massive right hand.  Zerafa was stunned and hurt but made it to his feet, but Horn again dropped the Victorian. Forget round 9 in Brubaker v Teleford for round of the year, this just superseded that.

Zerafa would make it to the final round but Horn used evasive footwork to do enough to keep Zerafa at bay to gain the victory with the scorecards reading 98-90, 97-92 and 94-94.

It was truly a battle for the ages and easily the fight of the year

With the victory, Horn has regained his top dog status in Australian boxing and now his middleweight world title shot. Horn again will be in line for the winner of Murata v Butler that happens this weekend, it will be a huge fight for Horn in 2020.

Horn was Phoenix like as he rose from the ashes of the first fight in August to prove that he his beyond doubt and real contender and not just another pretender.

Zerefa was clearly upset with the result but was humble in defeat acknowledging that Horn was the better man on the night.

Its unclear if there is a clause for a third match but if Horn becomes world champion again, it’s possible and what be a great addition to the best rivalry in Australian boxing since Green and Mundine.