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Zerafa trainer to text tips for Horn bout

3 minute read

Michael Zerafa's trainer Sam La Bruna won't be in his corner for next week's rematch with Jeff Horn, but he will send his charge advice via phone messages.

Michael Zerafa's trainer is 20 per cent more confident his charge can beat Jeff Horn than he was before their first bout, but won't be in his corner for next Wednesday's middleweight boxing rematch.

Victorian Zerafa stopped Queensland's former WBO welterweight champion Horn in the ninth round in Bendigo back in August.

Zerafa's trainer Sam La Bruna doesn't like flying so he won't travel to the fight in Brisbane and will instead watch it on television back in Victoria.

World ranked light heavyweight Blake Caparello will be the chief trainer on the night, but La Bruna will send advice via his phone.

"If there's things that I see on TV they are not seeing, there's a guy in the corner and he gets the messages and he will relay my messages once they get into the corner for the break," La Bruna told AAP.

"It's a pretty good blend to be honest, it's not ideal, but it has worked (in the past)."

La Bruna said he had kept a close eye on Zerafa since his friend Dwight Ritchie collapsed and died in a sparring session they had last month.

"Michael has shown me that he's been a true professional and he hasn't faltered in any way so that's been really good, we've been very very happy with him," La Bruna said.

He tipped Zerafa to again win inside the distance.

"I'm predicting round three, four or seven Michael will stop him," La Bruna said.

"The Michel Zerafa that will come out will be a much improved version of the one that came out the first time.

"I had Michael before the (first) fight at 70-30 , I thought he would win.

"Since we've beaten him and now I've had a good look at Jeff ringside and close up, my confidence levels are now at 90-10, but we're not over confident, we're working hard."

He doubted Horn's trainer Glenn Rushton could make major technical adjustments to his fighter's style

"Maybe they might tighten up on the defence of the right hand, because he was eating that all night, but he will come a lot fitter," La Bruna said.

If his charge wins, La Bruna is looking toward a possible 2020 bout with unbeaten world ranked Sydney light middleweight Tim Tszyu, who said last week he would love to fight the winner of Zerafa-Horn.

"Something like that would be great for Australian boxing,' La Bruna said.

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