Australian boxing is set for its biggest grudge match in 20 years with Michael Zerafa calling out Tim Tszyu and vowing to end his career.
Zerafa declared it’s time to finally settle a score four years in the making in the wake of Tszyu’s devastating super welterweight world-title loss to big-punching Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando on Sunday.
Tszyu had plans for an Australian homecoming world-title defence on December 29 and victory over Murtazaliev would have been the gateway to – mega bouts against the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence and Jermell Charlo.
But back-to-back defeats have left Tszyu’s career at the crossroads, with the former WBO world champion facing a long road back to the top, starting most likely with a domestic opponent.
Enter Zerafa.
The duo were scheduled to meet in July 2021, only for the bout to sensationally collapse when Zerafa withdrew seven days before the fight, citing travel issues with his team during the Covid pandemic.
Steve Spark stepped up as a last-minute replacement and fight broadcaster Fox Sports were so filthy that Zerafa was briefly black-listed by the network and slammed as a coward by Tszyu.
Anthony Mundine famously beat bitter rival Danny Green in 2006 in a bout that attracted 200,000 pay-per-view subscriptions – still an Australian record – and Zerafa says the stage is set for a Tszyu blood feud.
“We have unfinished business – it’s time to take care of it,” Zerafa said in the aftermath of Tszyu’s third-round mauling.
“The tables have turned.
“He’s got no belts. I’ve got no belts, but this is the fight Australians fans want to see.
“It would be Australia’s biggest fight since Mundine-Green and possibly bigger.
“Tszyu is coming off two losses and it’s career-damaging what’s just happened to him.
“If he was to lose a third fight in a row, it would be the end of his career – and I’m the guy to do it.”
Ironically, Tszyu and Zerafa fought on the same card in Las Vegas in March.
Flying the flag together for Australian boxing, Tszyu was heroic in his bloodbath loss to Fundora, while Zerafa was knocked out in a second-round disaster against Erislandy Lara.
Since his world-title loss, Zerafa rebounded with a first-round win over Tommy Browne, who was forced to retire with a torn bicep on a card headlined by Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita.
Australia’s No.1 promoters No Limit were planning for Zerafa to fight Nikita, but the Murtazaliev mauling has opened the door for Tim to take on the ‘Pretty Boy’ instead.
“I’ve signed a three-fight deal with No Limit and I was told if Tim loses, then I am his next fight,” Zerafa said.
“He’s got no credentials now.
“I should be the A-side. I’m coming off a win on a No Limit show, while he is coming off a loss, so negotiations can’t go all one way.
“The talk about me running from Tszyu is rubbish.
“I’ve fought much better fighters than him, I got in the ring with Lara, so if the dollars are right it makes sense.
“Once Tszyu is cleared to fight again, I will be waiting for him.”
Australia’s No.1 middleweight, Zerafa says he is prepared to come down to super welterweight and is confident he will bash Tszyu into retirement.
“As an Aussie, I do feel for Tim a bit, because this happened to me in Vegas,” Zerafa said.
“He’d be waking up feeling like absolute s***, but this is the fight game and we need to take care of business now.
“I would come in as the bigger fighter and I have the power and speed to hurt blokes – just ask Jeff Horn.
“Tim is a good fighter but as I’ve always said, there’s levels and he is f***ing dreaming thinking he is in the same league calling out Canelo, Crawford, Spence and these beasts.
“Unlike Tszyu, I’m a realist.
“His defence his suspect, his chin is suspect. Styles make fights and Tim’s style is suited perfectly for me.
“I hit way harder than people realise and if I find Tim’s chin, it’s going to be an early night.”
Originally published as ‘Unfinished business’: Michael Zerafa calls out Tim Tszyu, wants to end his career
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