Michael Zerafa has expressed indifference regarding his rivalry with Tim Tszyu, choosing instead to shed his “bad guy” image as he focuses on his boxing career. Set to fight Besir Ay in the co-main event at No Limit’s Sydney event on Wednesday night, Zerafa is determined to return to his roots and showcase his true boxing skills.
With five victories in his last six bouts—his only loss being to Erislandy Lara during a middleweight title match—Zerafa is intent on reminding fans of his fighting style prior to his more controversial persona. During the official weigh-ins, he stated, “I just focused more on being the boxer and not the bad guy or the villain.” He seeks to recapture the essence of the fighter who previously dismantled notable opponents like Jeff Horn and Issac Hardman.
Although he has historically been known for his trash talk, Zerafa acknowledges that with Keith Thurman leading the headlining match against Brock Jarvis, he is opting for a more relaxed approach. He feels this atmosphere allows him to concentrate on boxing alone.
A victory over Ay could push Zerafa closer to a world title opportunity, though he still considers the potential for a match against Tszyu. While Zerafa acknowledges the long-standing and intense rivalry, he is realistic about their current paths, recognising that Tszyu’s focus is on other challengers, including a future fight against Thurman in 2025.
Zerafa remarked, “We don’t need each other,” pointing out that he remains a top ten contender globally with aspirations to become a world champion—not just to fight Tszyu. He expresses little concern over Tszyu’s activities, stating his respect for the former champion and speculating that Tszyu will perform well against his upcoming opponent, Joey Spencer, despite the challenges he faces.
As both fighters stand at the pinnacle of Australian boxing, Zerafa admits that a clash between them would be significant, yet he seems content to allow time and circumstances to dictate whether it will happen. “It’s the biggest fight in Australia and we’re both at the top, so it makes sense,” he concluded, highlighting the complicated yet professional dynamic between them.
With his focus firmly on the upcoming fight, Zerafa aims to step into the ring without the weight of rivalry hanging over him, excited to rediscover the passion and discipline that brought him into the sport in the first place.