By Aus-Boxing.com

MICHAEL Zerafa has come to the realisation that bigger opportunities are awaiting him abroad.

After a frustrating year, which has seen the Craigieburn resident compete just twice, Zerafa (20-2, 11 KOs) is beginning to lay the foundations for an eventual move to the US after taking part in a two week training camp at the world famous Wild Card Boxing Club.

“The year has been quiet,” said Zerafa in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “I’ve tried to be more effective and set up for next year. In saying that, we just went over to America and pressed over there. Next year I’ll be training with Freddie Roach and Top Rank, so we planted the seed over there which was good.”

Having previously travelled to the US with stablemate Sam Soliman and more recently to Japan with OPBF super middleweight titleholder Jayde Mitchell, Zerafa has seen the benefits of mixing up his training regime first hand. With that in mind, the 24-year-old will head back to Los Angeles next year in the hope of learning from some of the best minds in the industry.

“We went over there to impress because I want to be based over there in America,” he explained. “I feel like after 22 fights, I want to fight the bigger fights and get on the bigger cards over there. So I’m just basically going to move over there in February and start fresh with Freddie Roach and the team and see what I can bring up from there.”

“Walking into the Wild Card and seeing the likes of Pacquiao hitting the bag and other world champions, it didn’t feel real. Once we started training and sparring with the guys, I felt that I proved I belonged there. It was exciting, I can’t wait to get back over there and adapt to their scene. I hope to build a fan base like I have here and keep chasing that world title.”

“Hopefully being over there I can learn more of the craft as I’m still young. So even if it takes me a year or two to learn – and come back as a 26-year-old fighting the bigger fights – and on the bigger cards. I hope I can work my way up and get that world title shot.”

Although Zerafa has his eyes firmly affixed on a move abroad, the IBF affiliated regional titleholder hasn’t closed the door on opportunities in Australia, starting with undefeated West Australian Renato Oliveira on Saturday night at the Melbourne Park Function Centre. However, as Zerafa openly admits, the transitional process isn’t going to be rushed.

“I’ll still fight in Australia if the big fights get offered to us,” he continued. “But I’ll sort of have to start out again being a new fighter at the Wild Card and even just trying to adjust with the new team.”

“I still have youth on my side. At my age I am able to take six months off just to learn and adapt to them and eventually fight the more credentialed fighters. This is what I’m trying to aim for and I’ll just keep chipping away at it. I hope to eventually get a world title shot, but I’ll look to take it one fight at a time.”

“I’m not overlooking this guy on Saturday night, because anything can happen in this boxing game. I’m not looking past this guy – he is tough – I have respect for him taking the fight.”

Despite his youthfulness, Zerafa has squeezed a lot into his five year professional career, having won state title honours before moving onto regional straps. Although he has lost two contests along the way, there is no shame in losing to the opposition that Zerafa has faced, particularly former middleweight titleholder Peter Quillin and Russian prospect Arif Magomedov.

“I’ve got a lot more experience and I’ve fought some big names,” added Zerafa. “I’ll defend my title, get over this fight and try to what the future holds. I’ll keep defending my title until bigger opportunities arise. There are talks about me dropping down to light middleweight – but if I get offered a good fight or opportunity at middleweight – I’ll take it.”

The mindset of a fighter just days away from fight night will always vary. But if Zerafa’s words are anything to go by, he appears to be unfazed by the challenge that Renato Oliveira presents.

“I’ve now been training over two countries for my camp,” he concluded. “I have had quality sparring and awesome technique training too – I’ve been training for ten weeks for this fight – all the hard work is done.”

“I have to show this guy respect, he is undefeated, has nothing to lose and everything to gain. I look forward to going out there, doing my thing and hopefully it will all pay off.”

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Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz