tim tszyu vs micheal zerafa

[australiahere]

2021 july the 7th

[margaret thatcher]

tim gonna beat him up

then he should move past the domestic scene after this, fight someone like brandon adams or patrick texiera if he's not gonna fight for a title next

[australiahere]

tim's got 2 month's too get ready

[coneye]

Good fight this one ,,

[convict]

Looking forward to this fight, Zerafa in 2 ! Seriously now Tim should win but expecting plenty of heart from Zerafa,

[Beltane]

Report in the media today:

There are fears Tim Tszyu’s fight with Michael Zerafa could be called off after the latter was hospitalised with a mystery rib-stomach injury.

Zerafa was scheduled to fly from Melbourne to Sydney on Wednesday for a series of promotional commitments, but missed the flight due to the ailment. The diagnosis remains unclear, but the ailment is serious enough to raise fears from both camps that the July 7 bout in Newcastle could be scrapped. The venue, which had been renamed “Tszyucastle” for the occasion, is already a sellout.

Zerafa’s trainer and co-manager, Sam Labruna, said it remains unclear what the health issue is and that the fight would be called off if his charge isn’t back in the gym by early next week.

Now that Zerafa’s fitness is clouded, his camp won’t proceed unless he has the appropriate time to recover from the setback.

[coneye]

Shame ,,, thought this would be a good fight and a perfect gauge to see excatly where Tims at ,,,

[margaret thatcher]

michael screams and shouts for the fight, and as soon as obliged he's in the hospital

[Beltane]

The current situation is:

A sparring partner for Michael Zerafa has agreed to step up on short notice to fight Tim Tszyu if the Victorian fighter can't take his place for the much anticipated clash in Newcastle on July 7.

Sources have told Wide World of Sports that Australian super welterweight champion Ben Mahoney and former IBF lightweight title challenger Lenny Zappavigna have been discussed as possible ring-ins following the mystery surrounding the health of Zerafa.

The fighter's camp has gone to ground since news broke of an illness which forced him to miss a media commitment to promote the fight.

Mystery surrounds his condition with some reports suggesting he has suffered a rib injury while his trainer and co-manager Sam Labruna claimed he had been hospitalised.

Zerafa's team haven't responded to calls from Tszyu's promoters, No Limit, who are eager for an update on the situation.

While Tszyu has no qualms about who he faces, his promoters have been forced to make contingency plans for the fight because of the radio silence on Zerafa's end. Losing Zerafa for the highly anticipated fight because of a bout of gastro seven weeks out from the event is highly unlikely, yet Tszyu's promoters want clarity on the situation.

The Tszyu camp's concerns stem from Labruna's claim that Zerafa wouldn't present for the fight in Newcastle if he's not back in the gym by next week.

After chirping up a trash talk storm to get Tszyu's attention for the past 18 months it would be difficult to imagine Zerafa missing this fight - especially over an upset tummy. That doesn't explain the lack of communication from the fighter's camp which is feeding into the narrative surrounding his health.

[coneye]

Mmmm seems totally unprofesional , to ignore people ,, lack of respect for the promoters , the opponent and the boxing fans who were paying for tickets ..
Being injured is'nt a problem ignoring the phone calls to clarify is . Probaly blew his chances , of his biggest payday by being un obtainable

[convict]

Looks like Zerafa wants a fair call on the ref and judges as some worked the Horn 2 fight as he threaten to pull out. The build up has become a bit of a circus act to follow and i just hope the fight is worthwhile because @$60 bucks i want my moneys worth.

[coneye]

Isp this fight On or Off

[Beltane]

All that has been reported in the media over the weekend is the sledging between the two, as well as Zerafa complaining about a potential referee.

But with the Sydney lockdown a major concern, things could change quickly, despite the Newcastle venue being outside of the current lockdown area.

[Beltane]

Since the above update, the Daily Telegraph has reported:

It’s the grudge match not even the Delta variant can stop.

Tim Tszyu’s fight against Michael Zerafa will proceed on Wednesday, July 7 despite the latest Covid restrictions across NSW.

It had been feared the super-welterweight bout would be cancelled when lockdowns were imposed across Greater Sydney, however Tszyu managed to get to Newcastle just before that was enacted.

Zerafa, travelling to Newcastle this weekend, is in an area of Melbourne unaffected by the latest Covid outbreak and can fly direct to the regional town.

Newcastle is not under lockdown, however the sold-out event will now only be able to hold half the capacity audience at the Entertainment Centre.

This fight between the two bitter enemies has been three years in the making and organisers are desperate to ensure it goes ahead.

[Beltane]

Its almost a soap opera now with Zerafa getting the collywobbles reports the Telegraph:

Tim Tszyu’s camp says Michael Zerafa is running scared and using the Covid lockdowns as an excuse to get out of their fight next week.

Zerafa is refusing to travel to Newcastle, leaving his fight against Tszyu on July 7 on the verge of cancellation.

But Tszyu’s promoters believe the Melbourne-based fighter has been shaken by an encounter with Tszyu a fortnight ago when they came face-to-face for an interview...

...Zerafa’s team have told No Limit they will not risk leaving Melbourne due to Covid-19 restrictions, despite assurances from health authorities that the fight can go ahead.

It’s understood the Zerafa camp contacted Victorian officials and decided it is too dangerous to leave the state, in case Newcastle goes into lockdown. At this stage, Newcastle is unaffected by the lockdown orders imposed across Greater Sydney.

Professional athletes have been given leeway to travel – including NRL and AFL players – by health officials since the pandemic began.

But if Zerafa holds his stance, the July 7 showdown against Tszyu would need to be scrapped.

Zerafa’s manager Sam Labruna told No Limit of their decision on Tuesday morning.

No Limit has been in contact with the Covid response team and the office of NSW deputy premier John Barilaro, and has been assured that Zerafa will be given an exemption to travel to Newcastle.

[Beltane]

First the bad news:

Michael Zerafa has ruined the biggest Australian bout of the year, pulling out of his fight with superstar Tim Tszyu.

Zerafa has no valid excuse to withdraw from next Wednesday’s fight against Tim Tszyu, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has declared as the Victorian boxer sensationally withdrew from the event.

Zerafa cancelled a planned press conference at 5pm in Melbourne to explain why he withdrew from the most anticipate fight of the year.

The Zerafa camp has claimed to fight promoters No Limit Boxing that they’ve received advice from Victorian health officials that it may be unsafe to fly to Newcastle due to the Covid-19 lockdowns happening across the country. There is also a suggestion Zerafa does not want to quarantine for 14 days in a Melbourne hotel after the fight, should Newcastle go into lockdown in the next week.

Now the good news (if you can call it good):

There are media reports that a replacement fighter is set to be named, meaning Tszyu will be fighting on July 7 in Newcastle.

[margaret thatcher]

zerafa what a fanny

[convict]

What a dick! Zerafa wanted the fight so bad he now dogs it for a BS excuse. I was really looking forward to this fight.

[gregregegg]

Im guessing by wensday the event will be canceled. they are not going to be able to have a full house, not even close.

[fox]

Stevie Spark is the new opponent. Gone up2 divisions in 2 fights. But he can fight and can bang. Tim won’t get it as easy as you’d think but will win. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Spark still there at final bell.

[coneye]

Something else going on here ,, the general consecus is Zerafa is afraid ,,, bollocks , he spars bigger and harder hitters than Tim ,,, plus the fact he's a profesional fighter in a time where theres not many fights , he's letting down a promoter who will not use him again , really he's committing profesional suicide doing this in a small place ,, Nope theres something else theres another reason i don't know what , but it will come out ,

Then they manage to get another guy who's an up and comer with a good record to jump two weight divisions and fight Tim on 8 days notice,,,, something else going on here

[Beltane]

I think the writing was on the wall back in May when Zerafa went down with a mystery stomach bug, and the promotors took stock and looked around for a replacement even back then. Since then it was will he or wont he.

Rumour has it that Zerafa was offered $300k for the fight, far more than the $30k he earned against a washed up Mundine.

[gregregegg]

Is this still PPV, thats pretty crook.

[coneye]

Is this still PPV, thats pretty crook.

Yep still ppv i believe , ,,,,,, This is one of the reasons i will not buy ppv's in OZ , i just go find a pub thats got it on ,,, i don't know if its true but i was told if you have purchased it , theres no refunds , sky saying you bought the show not just the main event ..
Regards the pull out ,,Firstly i was sorry its not going ahead , i think it would of been a cracking fight , with Tzyu finally fighting someone his own size , so i'm sorry to miss it

But I was speaking to a guy last night , and he would'nt say much , but what he did say was , he did'nt blame Zerafa for pulling out , he reckons theres more to it , and it will come out soon enough , Don't know what ,he obviously did'nt want to say , but this guy is well in the know , not much going on he does'nt know

[margaret thatcher]

so what would it be that's actually going on then? give us some ideas