Jeff Horn vs Michael Zerafa Fight Odds & Breakdown

• Horn vs Zerafa goes Saturday, August 31st at 6:00 AM ET
• Can Horn retain his belt and win his Victorian debut?
• Can Zerafa acquire his most significant scalp to date?  

Jeff Horn vs Michael Zerafa emanates from Bendigo Stadium in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia on Saturday morning here in North America.

The 12 round middleweight contest is the main event bout. This card is a co-feature between D & L Events and Hosking Promotions. The WBA Oceania Middleweight title is up for grabs with Horn coming in as the defending champion.

Horn vs Zerafa Odds

*Odds taken 08/26/19

Horn is a unique case in a couple of ways. As much as he is a legit world champion caliber fighter, he also has a bit of a polarizing public image. Domestically he’s a huge star in Australia but certain bouts (the controversial Pacquiao fight) have left some unsure of where Horn is at legacy-wise. Zerafa is hoping Horn is resting on his laurels so he can capitalize.

Horn Finesses Way to a Decision Win

This fight has additional meaning for Horn and his next prize fight. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Horn’s promoter Dean Lonergan have agreed on terms for a late December bout between Horn and WBA middleweight champion Ryoto Murata in Japan.

Obviously, this Horn vs Murata bout happening is predicated on Horn winning here. Normally fighters who are positioned in this way will get fed a journeyman opponent to be as risk-averse as possible in trying to preserve the future money fight. This is not the case in this bout and Zerafa could very well surprise a lot of people.

should Jeff Horn defeat Michael Zerafa next week 'Down Under', he will be matched with WBA 'regular' middleweight belt-holder, Ryoto Murata in Japan in the month of December. Bob Arum says winner will get Rob Brant(who had a rematch clause from his recent loss to RM #boxing

— Steve Kim (Pres. of the Elijah Lofton Fan Club) (@SteveKim323) August 22, 2019

Zerafa has a strong resume. He has only lost to world-class competition (Kell Brook, Arif Magomedov, and Peter Quillin), has collected a variety of belts professionally, and won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. The only loss Horn has taken is to world-beater Terence Crawford in his second last bout.

Jeff Horn would go on to rebound in style by scoring a first-round knockout over Anthony Mundine.

Horn vs Zerafa Tale of the Tape

Zerafa was unimpressed by Horn’s last win though. He thinks Horn is taking the safe route with big payday fights against opponents who have left their competitive prime. The confidence seems to be there for Zerafa, but I still think Horn gets it done. Zerafa seems decently durable as he’s only been KOed once. I think Horn scores a unanimous decision win on Saturday.

Pick: Horn (-500)