Devastating reason for boxing star's fingernail artwork

Australian boxer Michael Zerafa has revealed artwork on a fingernail and explained the devastating meaning behind it.

The Melbourne boxing ace is an expert commentator on Stan's coverage of Battle on the Reef, featuring a host of past and present NRL stars on Saturday night.

When Zerafa was asked on the Stan commentary panel in Townsville about his fingernail artwork, the broadcast zoomed in on a pink ribbon, the symbol for breast cancer, and he opened up on his sister's fight against the disease.

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"We're in the venue now and it's sad to say but not everyone fights in the ring," Zerafa said.

"My sister, bless her soul, she's at home and she's fighting her own battle. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It was just super sad to see that one morning you get a call to find out that you're fighting for your life. There's no words really to describe it.

"You're trying to stay positive for her and trying to be supportive, but just to see her hurting and damaged is super sad.

"I just show my love and support, not only to my sister but anyone that's going through it or who's been through it. I'm by your side. Whether you know me or you don't know me, I'm a soldier next to you."

Zerafa is a 31-year-old middleweight boxer with a professional record of 31 wins and four losses, including 19 victories by knockout.