By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
In an IBF middleweight eliminator for the #2 ranking, Michael Zerafa (30-4, 19 KOs) destroyed previously unbeaten Issac Hardman (12-1, 10 KOs) in the second round on Wednesday night at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Zerafa dropped Hardman, then finished him with his follow-up barrage. Zerafa was a +175 underdog.
Female super bantamweight Cherneka “Sugar” Johnson (14-1, 6 KOs) took a hard fought ten round split decision over Melissa Esquivel (12-3-1, 4 KOs) to win the vacant IBF world title. Scores were 96-95, 97-93 Johnson, 96-94 Esquivel.
Other Results:
Carly Salmon W6 Krystina Jacobs (featherweight)
Benjamin Bommber TKO4 Waiwit Nareeruk (super middleweight)
Campbell Somerville TKO2 Lawrence Glover (super welterweight)
Kim-Alina Ross D4 Zoe Putorak (super welterweight)
Jack Gipp TKO1 Lepani Levatia (light heavyweight)
Hardman walked straight into a dozen traps set by an authentic boxer. It’s that simple. Boxing 101’s mean something people.
Yep Zerafa’s eyes must’ve lit up when he saw Hardman just walking forward, not really throwing anything. Fought well off the back foot and tagged Hardman again and again, Hardman’s guard was poor hence he ate that left hook. Pity that Australian boxing has to take the route of BS hype to sell what is NOT a PPV bout in any other country. I guess that is what people want to see, drama and yelling rather than a decent fight?
Guess he is a Softman after all, hopefully this humbles him a bit
I’m glad Zerafa won even though I thought Hardman would be too strong. Goes to show boxing skill still counts for something. Also shows what a weak division middleweight is in Oz boxing with Hardman ranked as he was. Expect Hardman to go up to 168′ where he will face much sterner opposition as in Matteo Tapia or Bilal Akkaway, with neither ending well for him. That’s the ceiling for Hardman and in fairness although better I cant see Zerafa winning a title albeit he may get a shot, hope I’m wrong.
There are levels in boxing, disrespecting his opponent and having a big mouth isn’t enough.. It seems that hardman isn’t that hard !
Congratulations on your win Michael, now maybe you can channel your energies on “bigger fish” ,go train with Kambosos and get the ” eye of the Tiger” George has got as well,plus being a gentleman too. Next stop a world title!!!!