The brother of Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has been hit with an assault charge after he punched an opponent's trainer during a post-fight brawl in the ring.
Zerafa scored a TKO victory against Tommy Browne on Wednesday night but the win was overshadowed when Jason-Manuel Zerafa threw a punch at Browne's trainer Tommy Mercuri after the two corners exchanged words.
Browne suffered a bicep injury in the first round of the bout and did not come out of his corner for the second frame - a move that appeared to enrage his opponent.
Police confirmed they arrested the brother on Thursday morning and charged him with one count of common assault.
"Police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention centre on Darling Drive, Sydney, when a 26-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 60-year-old man during the event," a police statement read.
"Officers intervened and went to the assistance of the older man, who suffered minor injuries which did not require treatment."
Promoter No Limit Boxing confirmed it had issued Jason-Manuel Zerafa a life ban for the "unacceptable" incident.
"He will be barred from attending all No Limit Boxing events in future ... the Combat Sports Authority of NSW have been informed of the decision ahead of any additional disciplinary action they may elect to proceed with," the company said in a statement.
Michael Zerafa posted on Instagram after the bout at Sydney's ICC Theatre and appeared to suggest his brother had been defending him after an attack from the opposition corner.
"So everyone turning on my bro, but no one saying nothing about his trainer taking swings at me," he said in a post.
"Team Browne started it, team Zerafa ended it."
The fight was the co-main event on a card headlined by Nikita Tszyu's ninth-round TKO win against Koen Mazoudier.
Michael Zerafa fought for the WBA middleweight title in March but was stopped by Cuban Erislandy Lara.
