A run-of-the-mill boxing match in Australia turned into chaos. An unexpected incident happened after the conclusion of the matchup between Michael Zerafa and Tommy Browne at the ICC Sydney Theater on August 28. Zerafa’s brother, and cornerman, Jonas, was issued a ‘life ban’ after he hit the trainer of Michael’s opponent in the ring.

What happened was that Tommy Browne couldn’t continue in the bout after the first round as he had torn his bicep tendon. In a fit of pure emotional outburst, Zerafa pointed to Browne and shouted “You quit”, in reference to Browne’s earlier comments about Michael Zerafa quitting against Erislandy Lara in March. In what can only be described as a tense atmosphere, the taunt prompted Tommy Mercuri, Browne’s trainer, to have a heated verbal confrontation with Zerafa inside the ring. In the midst of it, Zerafa’s brother Jonas rushed in and punched the trainer in the face.

Zerafa and his entire team have since come under scrutiny from the NSW Combat Authority and promoters of the show No Limit Boxing. “What happened last night is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated at any of our fight nights,” George Rose, the CEO of No Limit Boxing said. “No Limit Boxing confirmed today it had issued a life ban to the brother of Michael Zerafa following last night’s unacceptable incident in Sydney,” a statement from No Limit Boxing read.

After the incident, Mercuri said it was a “dog shot”, and he didn’t even feel the impact of the punch. However, he stated that Michael Zerafa’s brother should be “banned from every venue in Australia.” For those unversed, “dog shot” is an Australian slang for a shot from behind or when the receiver of the punch is distracted. “People like that shouldn’t be allowed in the corner. Nobody should be allowed in the corner with emotions like that. They’re clowns mate,” Tommy Mercuri further added.

However, the chaos will not affect Zerafa’s three-fight deal with No Limit. He will now possibly face Nikita Tszyu, the younger brother of former world champion Tim Tsyzu. Interestingly, Zerafa walked away from a fight with Australian superstar Tim Tszyu previously, and may even get a second chance to fight him if he beats his younger brother.

Meanwhile, The Combat Sports Authority of NSW has taken note of the disruptive incident and the lifetime ban. It is now up to the organization how it would proceed with any other disciplinary action it deems fit.

Meanwhile, fans had a mixed reaction to the entire incident, with some siding with Team Zerafa and others siding with Team Browne.

Should the trainer also face a penalty along with Michael Zerafa’s brother?

One fan urged the Australian promoters to not put Zerafa in any of the upcoming fight cards after the incident. They commented, “Wouldn’t even put zerafa back on one of there cards.” Notably, Zerafa is dubbed the bad boy of Australian Boxing. So it is no wonder an incident like this was bound to happen.

Another fan claimed this isn’t the first time Zerafa’s brother punched somebody in the ring. They commented, “Heard it’s not the first bloke he’s punched in the “ring”.” ” Retired American boxer and former world champion Shawn Porter, who was providing television commentary for the fight, also echoed the same sentiment, stating, “If Michael knows his brother has the ability to do that . . . he shouldn’t be in his corner.”

Meanwhile, another fan shifted the blame on Tommy’s trainer, who got into a heated verbal altercation with Michael Zerafa, and some light shoving was also involved. They commented, “What does the trainer get for starting it ? He got what he deserved.” In fact, Team Zerafa has refused to apologize for the unpleasant scenes that unfolded and put the blame squarely on the trainer for instigating the chain of events that led to him being on the receiving end of the punch.

Yet another fan blamed Tommy’s trainer for getting inside the ring and having a war of words with Michael Zerafa while the fight was officially still ongoing. Additionally, they asked for the trainer to be given a ban as well. They commented, “What a world we live in where someone starts the whole incident but then we blame the others for finishing it. If the trainer didn’t go at zerafa this situation would have never happen simple ban the trainer as well.” Unfortunately for the fan, No Limits Boxing will not take any action against Tommy Mercuri, and he will go home without facing any penalties as of now.

Do you also think that the trainer should be penalized for the entire ruckus that happened between Team Michael Zerafa and Team Tommy Browne? Let us know in the comment section below.