Michael Zerafa’s brother banned for life for disgraceful scenes as police launch investigation into alleged assault

The brother of Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has copped a life ban and is under police investigation after he punched an opponent’s trainer during a post-fight brawl in the ring.

Zerafa scored a TKO victory against Tommy Browne on Wednesday night but the win was overshadowed when Jason-Manuel Zerafa threw a punch at Browne’s trainer Tommy Mercuri after the two corners exchanged words.

Browne suffered a bicep injury in the first round of the bout and did not come out of his corner for the second frame – a move that appeared to enrage his opponent.

Zerafa, unimpressed with his opponent’s withdrawal, expressed his anger towards Browne with a verbal tirade, prompting the loser’s coach, Tommy Mercuri, to march the boxer across the ring.

That led to floods of people from both camps entering the square circle, with Zerafa’s brother bursting through the ropes and making a beeline for Mercuri.

He was then seen connecting with a right hand on the coach’s chin in shocking scenes.

On Thursday, NSW Police confirmed detectives were conducting further inquiries into the incident.

‘About 10pm (on Wednesday) police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention centre … when a 26-year-old man assaulted a 60-year-old man during the event,’ police said in a statement.

 ‘Officers intervened and went to the assistance of the older man, who suffered minor injuries which did not require treatment.’

Promoter No Limit Boxing confirmed it had issued Jason-Manuel Zerafa a life ban for the ‘unacceptable’ incident.

‘He will be barred from attending all No Limit Boxing events in future … the Combat Sports Authority of NSW have been informed of the decision ahead of any additional disciplinary action they may elect to proceed with,’ the company said in a statement.

Michael Zerafa posted on Instagram after the bout at Sydney’s ICC Theatre and appeared to suggest his brother had been defending him after an attack from the opposition corner.

Zerafa has defended his team for their conduct insisting Browne’s team instigated the drama

‘So everyone turning on my bro, but no one saying nothing about his trainer taking swings at me,’ he said in a post.

‘Team Browne started it, team Zerafa ended it.’

The fight was the co-main event on a card headlined by Nikita Tszyu’s ninth-round TKO win against Koen Mazoudier.

Michael Zerafa fought for the WBA middleweight title in March but was stopped by Cuban Erislandy Lara.