Michael Zerafa has stepped in on short notice to face Tim Tszyu in Newcastle this Sunday, following tensions surrounding the fight’s judging arrangements. American competitor Joey Spencer’s team is upset that Tszyu’s promoters have allegedly breached a prior agreement about the judging panel. The initial understanding was to include two international judges with one Australian judge; however, it has come to light that three Australian judges have been appointed instead, jeopardising the event.
This situation has prompted Zerafa to express his readiness to take the fight if Spencer and his team withdraw due to dissatisfaction over the judging. “There’s a perception that everything goes Tim’s way,” Zerafa noted, emphasising his willingness to step up for an opportunity to address unfinished business, regardless of the short notice provided.
Jason Spencer, representative of Joey Spencer, stated that although the Combat Sports Authority of NSW determines officiating officials, No Limit Promotions possesses the authority to request changes to the judging panel. He asserted that the original agreement for a neutral judging panel was a crucial term – specifying one Australian and two international judges – which has now been disregarded. Spencer expressed frustration at being informed of this change so close to the event, labelling it unprofessional.
Tszyu has previously fought with a neutral judging panel in significant bouts against noted competitors such as Tony Harrison and Brian Mendoza, raising concerns from Team Spencer about the implications of their last-minute alterations. They believe the sudden shift in the judging panel suggests that Tszyu’s camp may be apprehensive about the competitive nature of the upcoming fight.
Despite the complications, Zerafa remains keen to seize this unexpected chance, stating his commitment to stepping in immediately if necessary. The ongoing situation highlights the intricacies and politics of professional boxing, demonstrating how closely tied the various elements—like judging panels—are to the overall fairness and competitive integrity of high-profile matches.