Michael Zerafa insists he is ready for Kell Brook test

Commonwealth junior middleweight champion Michael ‘Pretty Boy’ Zerafa 25-2 (14) says he doesn’t regret fighting Peter Quillin outside of his natural weight class and that the experience has only helped him improve his game ahead of his fight against former IBF welterweight world champion Kell Brook 37-2 (26) at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England on December 8.

Speaking to Maxboxing, the 26-year-old Australian said taking on the tough challenges is what the sport is all about.

“I don’t regret taking the Quillin fight despite the weight difference and all that,” said Zerafa, who entered the ring at 168-pounds to Quillin’s 182 and was stopped in five rounds by the future WBO middleweight champion in 2015.

“I knew it was going to be a massive challenge but you have to test yourself against the elite-level fighters to find out what your strong points are and what needs improving.

“I’ve learnt a lot since then and that’s what has helped me progress to this point.”

Zerafa admits the 32-year-old Brook is another step up in class but says that he is more than ready for anything the British veteran brings to the ring.

“Kell Brook is Kell Brook for a reason,” Zerafa said. “He’s a seasoned fighter who has been there with the big boys, but no-one is a perfect fighter and his last performance was good for a comeback fight but I know I’m different to his last opponent in many ways.”

Zerafa has been a top-class form this year. In March he claimed the Commonwealth 154-pound belt against previously undefeated Brit Adam Harper by 12-round decision and backed up this performance with another comprehensive points victory over rugged southpaw Wade Ryan before knocking out Colombian journeyman Jose Agustin Feria in three.

He says he feels much more comfortable since returning to the junior middleweight division.

“Fighting at junior middleweight is where I’m best at,” he said. “I’m tall, agile, quick and making weight isn’t an issue, so I’m very comfortable there.”