Michael Zerafa has branded claims Tim Tszyu could have stolen his world title blockbuster as “f…ing fugazi” – while also revealing he offered to step up and fight his longtime archrival in a shock Las Vegas headliner.
It comes as Zerafa also promises to “steal the show” on one of the biggest nights in Australian boxing history, declaring: “This is where my name is going to be made”.
After enduring an arduous wait for more than a year as championship mandatory, 31-year-old Zerafa finally gets to throw hands with WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara inside T Mobile Arena next Sunday, March 31.
BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara live from Las Vegas | WED 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
‘Too big!’ Rose wary of new Tszyu rival | 03:03
His title showdown arrives on a huge night for Aussie sports fans, with Tszyu also looking to unify the super welterweight division against Sebastian Fundora – aka, the Towering Inferno – in a shock headliner for both the WBO and WBC straps.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from Las Vegas, where he is training with new head coach Nonito Donaire, Zerafa confirmed himself ready to “go and steal the show” in his long-awaited Lara bout.
The fighter dubbed ‘Pretty Boy’ also stressed his upcoming fight week has nothing to do with the ongoing rivalry between himself and Tszyu, stressing he would much prefer only positive headlines to surround both fighters.
“Because we both become world champions next weekend and we’re on to other things,” Zerafa said.
“I don’t need Tim Tszyu and he doesn’t need me”.
However, the fighter who famously stopped Jeff Horn in 2019 was also quick to rebuke suggestions made over the past 24 hours that Tszyu had effectively saved his world title from being lost.
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The statements come after Tszyu’s own headliner was thrown into turmoil following the sensational withdrawal of American superstar Keith Thurman, who reportedly suffered a biceps injury in training camp.
Almost immediately, whispers began to emerge suggesting ‘The Soul Taker’ was being offered up a pair of possible replacements from the stacked undercard – Fundora and WBA middleweight champ Lara.
Tszyu has also since fronted the media and suggested he knocked back the Lara offer, saying with a smile: “I didn’t want to break Zerafa’s heart”.
His longtime arch rival has suggested, however, the offer was likely played up as part of “little games, trying to get into my head”.
Zerafa then revealed he had also approached US promoters Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) immediately after the Thurman news broke and offered to fight Tszyu on 12 days notice.
Asked about suggestions Lara was offered the Tszyu headliner, which would have seen his own title fight again delayed, Zerafa said: “Yeah, I heard that as well, but it’s f…ing fugazi.
“Myself and Lara we’re contracted to fight. I’m the guy’s mandatory.
“So that’s just people trying to play little games, trying to get into my head.
“This whole camp Tszyu’s had my name in his mouth.
“Yet I haven’t once worried about him.
“Haven’t once said anything.”
Zerafa also confirmed, however, that when news of the Thurman withdrawal came through he immediately contacted his team and PBC saying “I was happy to step up”.
“I said ‘let’s get this on once and for all’,” the fighter said with a smile.
“I thought Zerafa versus Tszyu in T Mobile Arena, why not?”
While PBC eventually went with Fundora, Zerafa stressed his focus during what became a crazy couple of hours for Aussie boxing never strayed from Lara as he looks to ensure the nation wins gold in two separate divisions on one huge Las Vegas night.
Thurman pulls out of Tszyu clash | 00:46
“This is every fighter’s dream,” he said of a title showdown in the world’s fight capital.
“Massive card, biggest arena … it doesn’t get much better than this.
“It’s something I’ve always thought was inevitable, too.
“Always known this moment would come.
“But now to finally be here, it’s Michael Zerafa’s time.
“I want to go out there and steal the show.
“This is where my name is going to be made.
“Because I’m not fighting for some vacant title. I won’t be waking up and somebody just handing me a title.
“Winning this fight means everything.”
As part of preparations, Zerafa has already spent two weeks training in Las Vegas with Donaire, the famed ‘Filipino Flashes’ whose own decorated career has seen him win world titles in multiple weight classes.
After initially doing his hardest sparring rounds at DLX Boxing, the pair have now moved themselves to Top Rank’s gym for the last week of lighter work.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia last month, Tszyu was asked about sharing his first ever Las Vegas showcase with his great Aussie arch rival and replied: “Man, I actually feel bad for him.”
Why?
“He’s about to have the greatest moment of his career,” he said. “A world title fight, and it’s somewhere on my undercard.
“I just think ‘f…, the poor bloke’.”
Asked how the fight goes, Tszyu added with a laugh: “Not sure … but I’ll probably go to sleep.
“It will be whoever throws the least jabs loses.”
Asked to respond, Zerafa said this week: “Again, he’s mentioning me.
“This is a bloke who is also in the biggest fight of his career and he’s talking about Michael Zerafa.
“So I just laugh it off.
“I’m not saying anything personal to him.”
Asked his thoughts on Thurman withdrawing, Zerafa added: “I dunno.
“Is injured, is he not injured … who knows? But that’s boxing.
“It happens.
“But credit to Tszyu, he’s still fighting. And credit to Fundora for stepping up.
“I actually think it’s a harder fight for Tim too.”