Isaac ready for Zerafa showdown

Isaac Hardman has the Christmas present he wanted – a fight against Michael Zerafa.

Hardman’s manager Eddie Kocwa said the middleweights are to meet in April in a possible stepping-stone to a world title shot.

Redcliffe-born Hardman, who grew up in Deception Bay and Caboolture, called for the fight within seconds of stopping Adam Stowe earlier this month.

The Headsplitter, who now lives in Bald Hills, remains unbeaten after dominating for four rounds in Fortitude Valley before Stowe’s corner threw in the towel.

Awesome night

“That was awesome right here in Brisbane,” Hardman, 25, said, “I hit him with some qualities – and he was good for it.

“I think everyone here knows what’s next, I’m going to smash that Michael Zerafa.”

Melbourne-based Zerafa, who has won 28 of his 32 fights, holds the WBA Oceania Middleweight and WBO Oriental Middleweight titles.

He is ranked eight in the world by the World Boxing Association (WBA). Hardman is currently ranked 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Unbeaten record

Hardman, undefeated with 12 wins from 12 fights, also holds the IBF Australasian Middleweight title and Australian title.

Online boxing records list the fight date as Wednesday April 6, but the venue has yet to be revealed.

It is reward for the “massive risk” Hardman took against Stowe, knowing one punch could derail his world title hopes.

He said before the fight: “I’m in the conversation of having world title fights. Lose this and there goes Christmas … but you’ve got to risk it for the biscuit, as they say!”