There's nothing more motivating for boxer Michael Zerafa than a solid challenge in the ring.
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The 27-year-old from Melbourne is preparing for the biggest fight of his career so far, head-to-head with former world champion Jeff Horn for the Battle of Bendigo.
"I was born for this," Zerafa said.
"It comes as second nature to me."
Zerafa's full concentration is on what he needs to do to ensure he secures the win over Horn.
"Physically and mentally I'm switched on, my team and I are just excited and just want to get out there and put on a show," he said.
"I'm building on my strength, Jeff Horn massively underestimates me and thinks of me just as a boxer, we've worked on things that he will soon find out about."
A key to the preparation has been Zerafa sparring with partners who have a similar fighting style to that of the 31-year-old Horn.
However, Zerafa said it was going to be a challenge.
"He only fights one way," Zerafa said.
"Everyone doubts me, but I love being the underdog, this is my thing.
"On August 31 he will see a different Zerafa and I truly believe my hand will be raised at the end of the fight.
"We knows it's going to be a hard fight, Horn has been in there with the best and I give him credit for what he's done."
Zerafa, aka the "Pretty Boy" stands at 5' 11 and fights with an orthodox stance.
His current record is 26-3 and his most recent fight was a KO victory over Les Sherrington at the Melbourne Pavilion in April this year.
Recently, retired boxer Jeff Fenech praised Zerafa's ability in the ring and believed he can defeat Horn.
After watching Zerafa in a brutal sparring session against 2016 Olympian Daniel Lewis in Sydney, the three-time world champion is convinced he can pull it off.
"I spoke to Michael afterwards as we are great friends - he's Maltese and I'm Maltese - and I said to him, 'if you can do what you did in the ring today, I honestly think you will win the fight'," Fenech said.
Sport has always been a major part of Zerafa's life, especially born and raised in Melbourne, the heart of Australian rules territory.
"I always played football growing up with the boys, but boxing has always been my dream," Zerafa said.
"I want to be world champion and I'm not going to stop until I get there."
Zerafa always dresses to impress, whether it be when he steps into the ring, or addressing the media.
"Pretty Boy always comes to impress," he laughed.
"On August 31 I will make a statement, my kit will be nice and bright."
The fight will be held at the Bendigo Stadium.
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