BoxRec

Michael Zerafa Rejects Tim Tszyu Clash Due To Money

The managers of Michael Zerafa have declined an offer for their charge to fight Tim Tszyu at the end of year in what would be a blockbuster fight down under.

Zerafa's managers Sam Labruna and Brendan Bourke both confirmed the offer was made from Team Tszyu this week to take on Zerafa - however the fight was declined due to money.

Last month, Tszyu stepped out of his famous father's shadow and demolished former WBO welterweight world champion Jeff Horn in eight one sided rounds.

"Tim Tszyu proved he's a world class fighter by dominating Jeff Horn in Australia last month. Credit to promoter Matt Rose for putting on such a huge event in a stadium. Unfortunately the offer he gave us didn't come close to stadium money," stated Labruna.

The Tszyu vs Horn event was held at Bankwest Stadium in Townsville, Queensland and reportedly sold 16,000 tickets and did large pay-per-view numbers.

"The show was fantastic" stated Brendan Bourke. "Tim's next fight will be even bigger! Zerafa is the perfect opponent, he's knocked out Jeff Horn and earned his position against Tszyu. We respect Team Tszyu, they're doing a great job with Tim, let's hope the fight gets made some time in the future."

With most of the world still in the global pandemic and international flight restrictions in place, Tszyu's team might be limited with opponent selections so fellow Australian Zerafa looked a perfect fit.

"I'm not sure who else they can get under the pandemic restrictions," stated Labruna. "It was disappointing considering the big money on the table. It's the sort of fight offer you get when they really don't want the fight."

"We're working on some big fights with Brian Armatruda from Big Time Boxing. The Tszyu fight is something we wanted, but not something we need. We're certainly not desperate," stated Bourke.

I think this will be Tim's next fight.

No one ever accepts a first offer do they? They just holding out for a bigger offer.. The managers are talking like Zerafa is a big fish and he has plenty of other offers on the table..

Should be a good fight for Tim. Zerafa shown what he can do against Jeff the first fight and I'm sure he won#t gas after 2 rounds.

Another big fight for down under.. Before Tim eventually goes to US.

So what happened to Hogan fight?

watsupdoc87 wrote: ↑25 Sep 2020, 07:40 So what happened to Hogan fight?

There was never a Hogan fight though. Just speculation etc.

I guess they're keping their options open

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Sep 2020, 08:25

watsupdoc87 wrote: ↑25 Sep 2020, 07:40 So what happened to Hogan fight?

There was never a Hogan fight though. Just speculation etc.

I guess they're keping their options open

I think it will happen tho. Maybe next year. 'm glad it's not hogans next fight. He needs a win after 2 losses. If he gets one or 2 wins he'll be a tough fight for tszyu

Tszyu has been offered $1m to fight Zerafa.

Zerafa’s promoter Brian Amatruda, is willing to offer young Tim his biggest payday.

“I’m sick and tired of seeing Tim make excuses and avoid what is Australia’s biggest fight — Tim Tszyu v Michael Zerafa,” Amatruda said in a statement to Fox Sports.

“Tim is a quality fighter but he just fought a 36-year-old fighter who was coming off a brutal knockout and his second loss in a row. Hogan also had a major injury coming into the fight and at one stage was going to withdraw.

“No discredit to Tim, but he has never fought the likes of Michael Zerafa who is in his prime and fought the best in the world. Not like Tim’s opponents who were just Australians, who whilst quite handy fighters will never be world champions.

“Tim’s talk of a world title is fanciful as the titles are all scheduled elsewhere so why not fight the very best in Australia? If Tim thinks he is on a different level then let’s get the fight on and he can have an easy payday!”

I think Tim should take it.

Big money.. it could be his farewell in Aus before moving to the world title fights, if he has to fight in the States.

Tim should be able to win this as well, but Zerafa will come to win.

Tszyu will destroy Zerafa. However, if they somehow make a deal, that Tszyu fights for the title afterwards, then why not to take this easy-money fight?

I read Tim was expected to make 1.5 from the hogan fight, no idea if true but seems crazy money for someone that’s never fought for a belt.

Million offer sounds good but mabey it’s not as good as we think.. Tszyu is the a side, id rather se his team try promote it and make zerafa an offer. how much i hace no idea, I’m guessing somewhere from 75,000-250,000....

A side being offered a flat fee is weird and I can’t see it working, but I do think it’s a good next fight for Tim.

I like this match up.
Zerafa isn't a tomato can, he is a credible opponent for Tim.
I actually thought the money would be more
A fight like this (held in Oz) would generate decent cash. It would be ppv in NZ and Oz for a start, and if they can have crowds, its a mid size stadium filler.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 17:31 I like this match up.
Zerafa isn't a tomato can, he is a credible opponent for Tim.
I actually thought the money would be more
A fight like this (held in Oz) would generate decent cash. It would be ppv in NZ and Oz for a start, and if they can have crowds, its a mid size stadium filler.

Seems to be lots of stadium fights recently down under..

Would be interested in seeing Tszyu fight a ranked guy outside of OZ before he gets his title shot.

giacomino wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 19:25 Would be interested in seeing Tszyu fight a ranked guy outside of OZ before he gets his title shot.

i dont mind the location too much since most champs are homers anyway and tim has some good backing to stay at home even as champ, but i would like to see an opponent from outside aus/nz

someone like sergio garcia, patrick teixera, or brandon adams

i see tszyu rolling zerafa easy down by 5, made for him tall likes to trade dont mind taking shots,

KiwiRider wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 17:31 I like this match up.
Zerafa isn't a tomato can, he is a credible opponent for Tim.
I actually thought the money would be more
A fight like this (held in Oz) would generate decent cash. It would be ppv in NZ and Oz for a start, and if they can have crowds, its a mid size stadium filler.

so what you reckon of tim then kiwi i know he is an aussie an that but brings a bit spot light down there , seems a real chance of a big title fight with him , be great to see a huge fight in that kneck of the woods

brilo33 wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 19:07

KiwiRider wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 17:31 I like this match up.
Zerafa isn't a tomato can, he is a credible opponent for Tim.
I actually thought the money would be more
A fight like this (held in Oz) would generate decent cash. It would be ppv in NZ and Oz for a start, and if they can have crowds, its a mid size stadium filler.

so what you reckon of tim then kiwi i know he is an aussie an that but brings a bit spot light down there , seems a real chance of a big title fight with him , be great to see a huge fight in that kneck of the woods

I'm really not 100% convinced yet mate. I've seen all his televised fights, and I've seen some of his opponents other fights in person.
Contender- yes, future legit champ- not sure.
Zerafa is a pretty tough guy, so hopefully we will see Tszyu go rounds with a decent boxer.
I do think this is a good matchup, and a better measuring stick for Tim.
Action all the way

KiwiRider wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 19:17

brilo33 wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 19:07

KiwiRider wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 17:31 I like this match up.
Zerafa isn't a tomato can, he is a credible opponent for Tim.
I actually thought the money would be more
A fight like this (held in Oz) would generate decent cash. It would be ppv in NZ and Oz for a start, and if they can have crowds, its a mid size stadium filler.

so what you reckon of tim then kiwi i know he is an aussie an that but brings a bit spot light down there , seems a real chance of a big title fight with him , be great to see a huge fight in that kneck of the woods

I'm really not 100% convinced yet mate. I've seen all his televised fights, and I've seen some of his opponents other fights in person.
Contender- yes, future legit champ- not sure.
Zerafa is a pretty tough guy, so hopefully we will see Tszyu go rounds with a decent boxer.
I do think this is a good matchup, and a better measuring stick for Tim.
Action all the way

seen his last few fights he is getting better i think , i guess its a pain in the arse hearing about the auss fighter, i see this fight as back step after hogan personaly he needs top 10 fighter next, see how he gets on with Tureano Johnson

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 00:45

giacomino wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 19:25 Would be interested in seeing Tszyu fight a ranked guy outside of OZ before he gets his title shot.

i dont mind the location too much since most champs are homers anyway and tim has some good backing to stay at home even as champ, but i would like to see an opponent from outside aus/nz

someone like sergio garcia, patrick teixera, or brandon adams

It's not easy to fly in and out of Australia atm and it won't be for the foreseeable future. Coming to Australia you have to do a proper 2 week hotel quarantine which would cause major issues for a guy training wise as you're not allowed to leave your hotel room.

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 00:09

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 00:45

giacomino wrote: ↑05 Apr 2021, 19:25 Would be interested in seeing Tszyu fight a ranked guy outside of OZ before he gets his title shot.

i dont mind the location too much since most champs are homers anyway and tim has some good backing to stay at home even as champ, but i would like to see an opponent from outside aus/nz

someone like sergio garcia, patrick teixera, or brandon adams

It's not easy to fly in and out of Australia atm and it won't be for the foreseeable future. Coming to Australia you have to do a proper 2 week hotel quarantine which would cause major issues for a guy training wise as you're not allowed to leave your hotel room.

It's doable.
We have been having sports teams come over. If you can allow a whole cricket team a 2 week isolation and let them train, then boxing is a doddle.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 14:29

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 00:09

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑06 Apr 2021, 00:45

i dont mind the location too much since most champs are homers anyway and tim has some good backing to stay at home even as champ, but i would like to see an opponent from outside aus/nz

someone like sergio garcia, patrick teixera, or brandon adams

It's not easy to fly in and out of Australia atm and it won't be for the foreseeable future. Coming to Australia you have to do a proper 2 week hotel quarantine which would cause major issues for a guy training wise as you're not allowed to leave your hotel room.

It's doable.
We have been having sports teams come over. If you can allow a whole cricket team a 2 week isolation and let them train, then boxing is a doddle.

I *think* for team sports though they relax the rules a bit and allow them to train together. I'm not sure they would do that for boxing or that the team brought over with the fighter is large enough to demand similar treatment,

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:30

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 14:29

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 00:09

It's not easy to fly in and out of Australia atm and it won't be for the foreseeable future. Coming to Australia you have to do a proper 2 week hotel quarantine which would cause major issues for a guy training wise as you're not allowed to leave your hotel room.

It's doable.
We have been having sports teams come over. If you can allow a whole cricket team a 2 week isolation and let them train, then boxing is a doddle.

I *think* for team sports though they relax the rules a bit and allow them to train together. I'm not sure they would do that for boxing or that the team brought over with the fighter is large enough to demand similar treatment,

They are still effectively quarantined within a team bubble. Except when a couple of windy guys decided to bunk the training field see the town.
But it has worked logistically for big groups, a boxing team is easier because they can train in an enclosed gym.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:37

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:30

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 14:29
It's doable.
We have been having sports teams come over. If you can allow a whole cricket team a 2 week isolation and let them train, then boxing is a doddle.

I *think* for team sports though they relax the rules a bit and allow them to train together. I'm not sure they would do that for boxing or that the team brought over with the fighter is large enough to demand similar treatment,

They are still effectively quarantined within a team bubble. Except when a couple of windy guys decided to bunk the training field see the town.
But it has worked logistically for big groups, a boxing team is easier because they can train in an enclosed gym.

I do agree that it should be able to work. But whether a fighter and their team want to go through with the hassle or not is another thing. I can't blame any Aussie or Kiwi for not wanting to leave home atm, I'm not sure if its worth the risk or the hassle of coming home.

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:48

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:37

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:30

I *think* for team sports though they relax the rules a bit and allow them to train together. I'm not sure they would do that for boxing or that the team brought over with the fighter is large enough to demand similar treatment,

They are still effectively quarantined within a team bubble. Except when a couple of windy guys decided to bunk the training field see the town.
But it has worked logistically for big groups, a boxing team is easier because they can train in an enclosed gym.

I do agree that it should be able to work. But whether a fighter and their team want to go through with the hassle or not is another thing. I can't blame any Aussie or Kiwi for not wanting to leave home atm, I'm not sure if its worth the risk or the hassle of coming home.

True, I wouldn't be keen on the 2 weeks quarantine coming home, but on the flip side, why would fighters not want to come here?
Sure they do 2 weeks in ehich they prep in the gym like they woukd anyway. Then they get to enjoy pre pandemic life (pubs, concerts stray tottie etc) for however long after fight night they want, and they don't need to quarantine when they reach their home country
If your a boxer who needs to make a living from it, not much else is happening.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 23:23

p4p1 wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:48

KiwiRider wrote: ↑08 Apr 2021, 18:37

They are still effectively quarantined within a team bubble. Except when a couple of windy guys decided to bunk the training field see the town.
But it has worked logistically for big groups, a boxing team is easier because they can train in an enclosed gym.

I do agree that it should be able to work. But whether a fighter and their team want to go through with the hassle or not is another thing. I can't blame any Aussie or Kiwi for not wanting to leave home atm, I'm not sure if its worth the risk or the hassle of coming home.

True, I wouldn't be keen on the 2 weeks quarantine coming home, but on the flip side, why would fighters not want to come here?
Sure they do 2 weeks in ehich they prep in the gym like they woukd anyway. Then they get to enjoy pre pandemic life (pubs, concerts stray tottie etc) for however long after fight night they want, and they don't need to quarantine when they reach their home country
If your a boxer who needs to make a living from it, not much else is happening.

I can't disagree at all.
Make some $$$, party here where we are covid free, catch an STD, go home and be happy that even though it was an STD you didn't catch the rona

Tim Tszyu-Michael Zerafa Grudge Match Set, July 7 In Newcastle, Australia

Tim Tszyu continues to line up the biggest name that his nation has to offer.

The second-generation junior middleweight contender from Australia is set for a domestic grudge match with veteran fringe contender Michael Zerafa. The regional junior middleweight title fight will take place July 7 live on Australia Main Event from Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia.

“There’s been a lot of things said that I take personally,” Tszyu stated during a press conference held Thursday morning (local time) to formally announce the event. “I don’t like him. July 7, we get to go in the ring and punch each other in the face.”

Both boxers are coming off of high-profile knockout wins this past March. Tszyu (18-0, 14KOs) picked up his fourth consecutive knockout and third since the pandemic after stopping two-time title challenger Dennis Hogan in the 5th round of their March 31 clash at this very venue.

Zerafa (28-4, 17KOs) returned to the win column 18 days prior, following a 1st round knockout of badly faded former super middleweight titlist Anthony Mundine on March 13 in Bendigo, Australia. The win came following a pair of fights with former welterweight titlist Jeff Horn, whom Zerafa stopped in the 9th round of their Aug. 2019 showdown—also in Bendigo—before dropping a 10-round majority decision in their Dec. 2019 rematch.

“He’s doing great for his career. But the crossroad ends here on July 7,” vowed Zerafa, who was previously best known for losses to former titlists Peter Quillin and Kell Brook. “The talk stops. The contracts are signed, the fight is done. He hasn’t fought anyone like me. Credit to Tim, he’s done a good job. But he hasn’t shown that he can do what I have done.”

Tszyu continues to be groomed for a title shot although all such an opportunity isn’t likely to come until the end of the year at the earliest. Lineal champion and WBC/WBA/IBF titlist Jermell Charlo (34-1, 18KOs) and WBO title claimant Brian Castaño (17-0-1, 12KOs) are due to collide on July 17, with the winner to become the division’s first-ever undisputed champion in the four-belt era.

That leaves Tszyu—whose father Kostya Tszyu is a Hall of Fame former lineal junior welterweight champion—to remain active against the type of opposition to ready him for that stage. It also helps when his best competition is among the nation’s most recognizable names.

“We got the two biggest names in this division in Australia,” notes Tszyu, whose first win out of the pandemic was a 9th round knockout of Horn in their one-sided affair last August in Townsville, Australia. “We’ve been interested in this fight for a long time. I’ve never rejected a fight.”

Zerafa and his team challenge that claim, although it remains a moot point. The two sides quickly agreed to terms for this fight, which the 29-year-old Melbourne native vows will launch his career while stalling the momentum Tszyu has been able to enjoy to this point.

“He’s had the help with that last name. But credit to him, he’s done his job,” notes Zerafa. “He’s beaten the names they’ve put in front of him. They know I can upset anybody. I’m world-class. I’ve done everything he has. Everyone he’s fought I’ve beaten.

“July 7, the talk stops.”