Kerry Hope describes Michael Zerafa: “He looks average”

 
THREE years after he upset the odds to dethrone Grzegorz Proksa for the European middleweight title, Kerry Hope will launch his second onslaught for a middleweight world rating.

 
Now based out of Brisbane, the Welshman will face talented Melburnian Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs) on Friday night at the Brisbane Convention Centre for an interim regional bauble affiliated with the WBO.

 
Despite having only fought once in the past fifteen months, Hope’s head trainer Gareth Williams believes that his fighter will be levels above his latest opponent.

 
“Michael Zerafa has not been in with anyone in the same calibre as Kerry,” said Williams. “You don’t get ranked as high as number two in the world by beating nobodies,”

 
“Kerry is enjoying his boxing more than ever and he is a very hard trainer.”

 
Williams’ sentiments were echoed by Hope’s manager Matt Clark, who like Williams is of the opinion that Zerafa will be out of his depth on Friday night.

 
“We commend Zerafa and his team for taking this fight,” added Clark.

 
“It’s a huge step up as Kerry is the former European champion and it’s a fight that we jumped at when it was offered. We think Hopey is on a whole different level to be honest.”

 
“Our way of thinking is that Zerafa has boxed one opponent approaching Kerry’s level and he came up drastically short. Quite simply, it’s a cracking fight and one that Aussie fight fans should be genuinely excited about.”

 
When speaking to Hope (21-7, 2 KOs), it becomes clear almost immediately that he adopts a strictly business approach to his career.

 
The well-travelled Hope, 33, has campaigned in multiple countries and has fought several world level fighters. It is that experience that has gives him the impression that he will comfortably deal with Zerafa.

 
“I watched three rounds of Zerafa’s fight with the Russian guy – who in my opinion is not a top draw European boxer – he looks average,” explained Hope.

 
“I respect every fighter with whatever they bring to the table but he’s going to have an uncomfortable night.”

 
“He certainly will not have met anyone as strong and with a work rate like mine before. I’m excited by this opportunity and I want my world ranking back.”

 
 
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