It’s been nearly six months since Michael Zerafa opted not to travel to Newcastle to fight Tim Tszyu in what would have been the biggest Australian fight in recent history.
But time hasn’t healed all wounds for seething fans.
“I cop it everywhere,” Zerafa told Wide World of Sports. “We’ve had a few altercations and stuff like that. I just block it out and smile and wave. That’s all you can do. If these guys knew better they’d be doing better.”
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While Tszyu (19-0) has clearly moved on from the Newcastle no-show with his fight against Takeshi Inoue (17-1-1) locked in for November 17 at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, Zerafa (28-4) will finally put the career-damaging episode behind him when he takes on Fijian Siliveni Nawai (12-4-1) at the Melbourne Pavilion in mid-December.
Zerafa spent just 129 seconds in the ring this year due to the pandemic, with his first round defeat of Anthony Mundine the only real action he’s seen since his loss to Jeff Horn nearly two years ago.
Now that he has an opponent finalised, Zerafa can finally move on from the Tszyu saga, but the world ranked middleweight admits he will still watch Tszyu’s next fight with interest. Zerafa has faced Inoue in the ring before – albeit in a sparring session in the fighter’s native Japan.
“He’s a tough boy. He walks forward, he doesn’t f— around. He doesn’t have a high work rate but he’s super strong. He uses his body well and he’s got dangerous hands and wild hooks. I think Tszyu’s patience will get him over the line.
“Tszyu stands up tall and pulls his back up a lot that’s what this Japanese guy loves. When I sparred I learnt that pretty quick. It’s going to be a tough fight for Tszyu. It’s not as easy as they think unless there’s more to the story.
“I’m not a sore loser. I wish him and his team all the best. He’s got a tough opponent ahead. But me and him is the fight Australia wants and I hope we can make it happen now that everything is clearing up.”
That might be wishful thinking though, since Tszyu has been made mandatory for Brian Castano’s WBO super welterweight title. The Sydney fighter has clearly stated that Zerafa is now in his rear-view with a title shot within reach.
Zerafa says he’s got a plan of his own that hopefully includes fighting a big name next year. He’s just happy to leave the drama from the Tszyu fallout behind.
“It’s been tough. I’ve been getting a lot of negativity from the whole Tim Tszyu thing. I’m still copping it. It’s sad because I try and give back to everybody. Whether you love me or hate me I just want to give back to the sport and make things interesting.
“It was all politics. Say what you want but don’t say I was scared (and) that’s why I didn’t want to rock up. That’s rubbish. There was a lot of things that were promised and never delivered.”
As for his next opponent, Nawai, Zerafa denied the clash is a “tune up” fight. The Fijian has won two of his last seven bouts and last fought roughly a year ago.
“I told Sammy (Labruna) and the team as much as it is a tune up fight, I don’t want a s–t-kicker. I want someone that’s had experience.
“(I’m) training as if there was a world title fight. Keeping fit. I’m always ready.”
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