AN announcement is nearing for Nikita Tszyu’s toughest challenge yet, as he attempts to overcome inactivity and a car crash in a catchweight clash with domestic rival Michael Zerafa. Now, the weight for the fight has been decided.
Tszyu, 11-0 (9 KOs), overcame Koen Mazoudier in a gruelling battle last summer, but suffered a hand injury that kept him out for 12 months during the process.
In August, ‘The Butcher’ returned to action and made easy work of Lulzim Ismaili in Sydney, requiring just one round to force the Macedonian to retire on his stool, meaning he has fought in only that solitary round since August 2024.
Tszyu is now expected to take on former middleweight world title challenger, Michael Zerafa, 34-5 (22 KOs), over four years after the latter was scheduled to take on Tim Tszyu, brother of Nikita.
Despite Nikita Tszyu being involved in a car crash earlier this month, it appears as though the fight will go ahead before Christmas and that Liam Paro’s IBF eliminator showdown with Paddy Donovan may even land on the undercard.
Speaking with Boxing News, Zerafa revealed his excitement ahead of the fight, before declaring that the bout will take place at a catchweight of 71.5kg (157.6lbs).
“I haven’t heard anything about the fight being off [due to the car crash] as of yet, just that he is going to take some time off.
“It’s exciting [for me to finally be fighting a Tszyu], not just for me but for Australian boxing as a whole.
“My goal is to be a world champion and get back into another world title contest, [not to tee up a grudge match with Tim Tszyu], but yeah this one will be a catchweight fight at 71.5kg.”
Zerafa challenged Erislandy Lara for the WBA middleweight world title last year and is currently ranked as high as #5 in the WBA world rankings at 160lbs, and at #8 and #14 with the WBO and IBF respectively.
