An all-Aussie showdown between heated rivals Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa could be happening later this year, with Tszyu open to the bout if Zerafa can win a world title.
Zerafa was branded the most hated man in Aussie boxing when he pulled out of his scheduled fight with Tszyu in 2021 – and Tszyu vowed never to give him another chance.
Since that time Zerafa has set himself up for a world title shot, and if he manages to win a belt Tszyu is interested in making the megafight a reality.
Tszyu – son of Australian boxing legend Kostya – aims to win the interim WBO welterweight title when he faces skilled American rival Tony Harrison on March 12 in Sydney.
Victory will hand the 28-year-old a shot at unified welterweight king Jermell Charlo – and if he wins that he’d move up to middleweight to take on Zerafa.
An all-Aussie showdown between heated rivals Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa could be happening later this year, with Tszyu open to the bout if Zerafa can win a world title
Zerafa was branded the most hated man in Aussie boxing when he pulled out of his scheduled fight with Tszyu in 2021 – and Tszyu vowed never to give him another chance
No Limit CEO George Rose said that the ‘stars are aligning’ for the bout which he likened to Anthony Mundine versus Danny Green with a world title on the line.
‘I’ll never say no to anything,’ Rose told foxsports.com.au . ‘And while, right now, we’re focused on Tim winning his first world title – and then unifying the division – those stars do seem to be aligning in the background.’
‘So I wish Michael the absolute best in his world title chase.
‘Because I know how tough boxing is, and how tough it is to reach the very top.
‘And if he gets there, it would be a massive achievement.
‘So then as a promoter, if a fight (with Tszyu) makes sense we’ll look to make it happen.
‘I know there is still an appetite for that fight in Australia.’
Zerafa, who has recently stated that he thinks Tszyu’s tilt at a world championship will end in tears, wants to be the new face of boxing in Australia.
‘A fight between Tim and myself, it has to happen,’ Zerafa said.
No Limit CEO George Rose said that the ‘stars are aligning’ for the bout which he likened to Anthony Mundine versus Danny Green with a world title on the line
Zerafa, who has recently stated that he thinks Tszyu’s tilt at a world championship will end in tears, wants to be the new face of boxing in Australia (Tszyu pictured knocking out Bowyn Morgan)
Zerafa (pictured left) believes he will win a world title before Tszyu
‘And when it does, it will be the biggest fight in Australian boxing.
‘This is Mundine versus Green all over again, but with more cookies on the table.
‘We’ll be fighting for a world title.
‘But first I’m getting ready to shut everyone up and prove I’m the best fighter in Australia.
‘I know everyone says I’m behind Tim Tszyu.
‘But realistically, I’m ranked higher than he is. Across all four sanctioning bodies, too.
‘And now while I’m fighting for a world title, he’s challenging for an interim belt.
‘So I’m going to go win that world title before him.’
The Melbourne-based fighter said he hopes Tszyu keeps winning as it will add to the stakes when the pair finally clash.
‘I don’t really care what Tim does,’ he said.
‘But for the mega showdown, of course I hope he keeps winning.
‘And eventually, it has to happen.
‘I know it’s been said previously that I didn’t want to fight Tim, but that’s never been the case.
‘There were underlying circumstances (to his withdrawal) which I don’t want to go over but hopefully we can settle it all with a unification bout.
‘Because we’ve never had two of Australia’s best look to unify.
‘We’ve had Green and Mundine, two of the country’s best, go at it to settle a beef.
‘But this is bigger again.’
