Michael Zerafa accused of ‘cowardly act’ by Tim Tszyu after no contest against Nikita Tszyu
Ironically, Tim Tszyu could have reported to the ring referee in Las Vegas that he could not see, which would have resulted in a no-contest and potentially saved him from further punishment and an eventual loss that negatively affected his career.
“I do not understand this cowardly behavior… [Zerafa] He said ‘I can’t see, I can’t see’ three times [to the ringside doctor] And I don’t think this kind of answer should come from a boxer. I don’t,” said Tim Tszyu.
Michael Zerafa (left) and Nikita Tszyu clashed in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
Zerafa apologized to the crowd and said he was ready for the rematch, but Nikita Tszyu was not impressed by his actions.
“He pulled the punch to the fight. I really have no words to say,” Nikita Tszyu told Kayo Sports.
“It’s frustrating when he sees the opening to escape and takes the first way out.
“Yes, yes there’s a cut, yes there’s a cut on his eye, but didn’t he really want this fight? He’s been looking for it for so long. He came out of the first exit. As soon as the head clash happened, I could see he panicked a little bit.
Michael Zerafa told the doctor that he could not see out of his left eye, but later retracted his statement.Credit: Getty Images
“He wasn’t happy about it but this is boxing, cuts happen. Look at my brother [Tim]she had a bloody squirt [against Fundora].”
In a post on social media, Zerafa expressed his disappointment with how the fight ended, doubling down on his claim that he was not asked if he could continue despite referee Condon announcing to him that the bout would be declared a no.
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“What is hard to accept is that at no point was I asked if I could continue or given the opportunity to try,” Zerafa wrote. “When you’ve spent months preparing, putting your body on the line, and making the sacrifices required at this level, it’s incredibly frustrating to have this decision completely taken out of your hands.”
When asked at the post-fight press conference if there was the potential to withhold payment for Zerafa’s actions, No Limit Boxing promoter George Rose said they planned to honor the contract.
“We always fulfill our contractual obligations, we will do the right thing no matter what, we do what the contract says,” Rose said.
