Michael Zerafa has declared himself the “biggest payday” for boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin, with the Australian revealing he is now negotiating four separate title fights for Down Under in early 2023.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Zerafa confirmed his respected US agent Elvis Grant is currently locked in talks involving three of the division’s champions — Golovkin, Erislandy Lara and Kazahkstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly.
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Incredibly, Team Zerafa have also discussed the possibility of fighting undefeated Brazilian Esquiva Falcao for what could become a vacated IBF strap as part of what now looms as a hectic few weeks for the Aussie who doubles as No.1 contender for Golovkin’s WBA Super crown.
“And Golovkin is the fight I want,” Zerafa stressed.
“I know he thinks I’m the easiest fight out there for him.
“And that’s fine.
“But I’m also his biggest payday.
“His three options right now are to fight me, Lara or Falcao.
“And of those, I represent the most money.
“With all the backing I’ve got to bring that fight to Australia, I know he’s definitely interested.
“And Zerafa v Triple G … it even has a nice ring to it.
“But regardless, I’m fighting for a world title next.”
Currently on a run of four straight wins, Zerafa (30-4) was recently mandated as No.1 contender for the WBA middleweight division – which has Golovkin (42-2-1) as ‘super’ champion and American Lara (29-3-3) holding the regular title.
Elsewhere, Triple G also holds the IBF belt and was recently told he has until February 14 to defend against No.1 contender Falcao or vacate.
Zerafa, meanwhile, sits at No.2 in the IBF rankings.
All of which means Golovkin can choose to defend his WBA Super title against either Zerafa or Lara next, or fulfil his IBF commitments against Falcao.
If Triple G choses Lara, Zerafa expects to fight Falcao for the vacated IBF strap. If Falcao is chosen however, the Australian says he will get to challenge Lara for his WBA crown.
Yet if three separate world title fights isn’t enough to consider, Team Zerafa have also now been approached by the division’s WBO champion Janibek Alimkhanuly
“And while I’m ranked sixth with the WBO, the top five guys there don’t want to fight him,” Zerafa said.
“So their team have reached out to us about a fight.
“And I’ve told them I’m keen.
“So that means its either the WBA, IBF or WBO … and I’m ready to go for every one of them.”
Back in November, Zerafa told Fox Sports Australia Golovkin had already “verbally agreed” to fight him in an Australian blockbuster, most likely in March.
Asked what, if anything, had changed in the months since, the fighter dubbed Pretty Boy said: “I don’t get involved in the (contract discussions) but I know my name has come up within his camp.
“And quite a few times.
“After Golovkin’s last fight too, he said he was happy to come fight in Australia.
“And I know he sees me as his easiest option.
“But I’m ready.
“Four times in my career, I’ve fallen short.
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“But I was a boy back then.
“Now, I’m a man. In my prime.
“It’s my time.”
While Zerafa obviously wants the Golovkin blockbuster, he predicted the fight which best suited his style would be a potential IBF showdown with Falcao.
“Because I believe I knock him out,” he said of the Brazilian.
“We’ve already had a few wars on social media.
“He’s said he is taking over the division. But he’s not taking over s…
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“He actually suits me perfectly – that’s why I think I stop him.
“But the fight I really want is Triple G.
“I want the best.
“First time I told anyone I was going to be a world champion, I was seven.
“And I’ve never been closer than now.
“I’m ready to shock the world.”
