An Australian superfight between Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa is back on the table — and could happen as early as this year – so long as the latter finally wins himself that coveted world title.
While Tszyu has previously declared he will never again face Zerafa following his shock withdrawal from their hyped 2022 showdown, Fox Sports Australia can reveal the bout is now firmly back on the table.
The only stipulation from Team Tszyu however, will be that the fighter dubbed ‘Pretty Boy’ puts a world title on the line.
Watch the return of Tim Tszyu as he faces former world champion Tony Harrison LIVE at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on Sunday March. BUY TICKETS or ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
Tim Tszyu pays Collingwood a visit | 01:30
The revelation comes as Zerafa awaits three potential championship shots in the middleweight division – the first of which will almost certainly be against Brazil’s Esquiva Falcao for IBF gold.
Tszyu, meanwhile, faces American Tony Harrison for the WBO interim super welterweight title on March 12 – with a win then catapulting him back into a unification bout against undisputed king Jermell Charlo.
While the undefeated Sydneysider is said to again be in favour of a Zerafa showdown, it’s understood he will accept only with a belt on the line — and after first following in the footsteps of his famous father Kostya, and becoming an undisputed world champion.
All of which means that should both fighters be successful in their pursuit of world titles in 2023, Tszyu will then move up in weight to land one of the biggest fights ever on Australian shores before Christmas.
Asked for clarity on the situation this week, No Limit CEO George Rose revealed only that “the stars seem to be aligning” around said super fight, while Zerafa confirmed the event would “100 per cent” happen saying “this is Anthony Mundine versus Danny Green all over again … but for a world title”.
Zerafa added he also plans to usurp Tszyu as the face of Australian boxing by becoming the first of the two arch rivals to win a world title.
“A fight between Tim and myself, it has to happen,” Zerafa stressed.
“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.”
‘How did he get there?’ Tszyu called out | 02:09
After months of speculation, boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin has relinquished his IBF strap — leaving Falcao and Zerafa, ranked one and two respectively, to fight for the vacated title.
Elsewhere, the Australian also remains the No.1 contender for Golovkin’s WBA crown, and has also been sounded out by WBO champ Janibek Alimkhanuly.
“So while Tim and I want each other, we don’t need each other,” Zerafa stressed.
“That’s the difference.
“Yes, I want to shut everyone up and prove I’m the best fighter in Australia.
“And I’m sure Tim wants to do the same.
“But right now I’m not focused on him.
“I’ve got my full concentration on the world title.
“I’ve had this dream since I was seven.
“I’ve worked my arse off, climbed the ranks, fought the guys in front of me … and now it’s time to bring home that world title.”\
Asked this week about the Tszyu-Zerafa whispers, No Limit CEO Rose said: “I’ll never say no to anything.
“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.”
Quizzed on how much bigger their fight would be if Tszyu keeps winning too, Zerafa continued: “I don’t really care what Tim does.
“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.
Tszyu unfazed by Harrison’s barbs | 01:23
“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.
“And personally, I’m excited.
“This has been 23 years in the making.
“I’m hoping to change the narrative a bit. Show people I’m not as bad as sometimes I’m made out to be.
“Because if I knock someone out in the first round, I’ve fought a bum.
“Yet if I then go the distance, people are saying ‘Oh, Zerafa is finished’.
“It’s sad.
“And while I realise you can’t change the world, right now, I’m only one fight from becoming the IBF world champion.”