Australian boxers Michael Zerafa and Issac Hardman had a physical confrontation when they met for a pre-fight event today.
The pair are set to step into the ring at Melbourne Convention Centre on April 20.
They arrived at a press conference in Melbourne this morning, where Zerafa went to greet Hardman and his team.
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But when the older fighter tried to shake his opponent’s hand, Hardman shoved Zerafa aggressively.
Zerafa then reportedly tried to throw a glass of water on Hardman, but the glass was dropped and shattered on the floor.
The incident was captured on the venue’s CCTV (see video above).
When the actual press conference got underway, Hardman continued his assault on Zerafa, but this time kept it to verbals.
He blasted the Victorian boxer for pulling out of a scheduled fight against Tim Tszyu last year. Fellow Aussie fighter Stevie Sparks had to step up at the last minute to ensure the event went ahead, but Tszyu won in what was essentially a non-contest.
Hardman blames Zerafa for their fight not being broadcast on any Fox Sports channels, including Main Event and Kayo.
“It’s really disappointing not only for me and the other people on the undercard. This card and this fight is one of the biggest to be made in Australia,” Hardman told Wide World of Sports.
“I’m a Fox Sports fighter, I’ve been on there seven times. I’ve got the headway I’ve got because of that platform. It’s because of that coward Michael Zerafa and what he done cost them so much money. This fight isn’t on Fox Sports because of Michael Zerafa – end of story.
“I can’t string a sentence together towards Zerafa because he’s as dumb as a box of rocks.”
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