One of Australia’s gutsiest world champions is tipping Nikita Tszyu to get upset by Michael Zerafa – and possibly finished – in the biggest test of his undefeated career, declaring: “Mick is going to do a job on him”.
No stranger to massive challenges Down Under, Billy Dib has told Fox Sports Australia he expects a “very hittable” Tszyu to get beat in the nation’s greatest grudge match this decade.
N. Tszyu vs Zerafa | Friday 16 Jan from 7pm AEDT | The trash talk and bitterness come to a head when Nikita Tszyu steps into the ring to face Michael Zerafa in one of the most anticipated fights in Australian boxing history. Plus Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s pro debut | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
Apart from Tszyu’s hyped career start having now gone 11 straight wins, the youngest fighting son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu is also now the slight betting favourite in some online markets.
Dib warns however, that the 27-year-old is also yet to prove himself at the same level as Zerafa, a longtime world title contender who boasts a heap of experience in big fights against men who held championships, including the likes of Anthony Mundine, Kell Brook, Jeff Horn, Erislandy Lara and Peter Quillin.
Yet given Tszyu’s undeniable rise, the former IBF featherweight king is also tipping Friday’s showdown to be an enthralling fight – for however long it lasts – and says the No Limit headliner is a huge win for Australian fight fans.
Apart from looking to settle six years of bad blood between his family and Zerafa, Tszyu is also in line to take the same leap older brother Tim did six years ago – after upsetting Aussie boxing great Horn.
Only last week however, Koen Mazoudier, the Australian super welterweight champ, also tipped Zerafa by KO – and Dib, who has himself held world titles at both featherweight and super featherweight, while more recently fighting cancer outside the ring, agrees.
“I think Mick is going to do a job on him,” Dib said this week. “I just think he’ll be too much.
“And look, Nikita could prove me wrong.
“If he does too, his career catapults.
“But right now, we don’t know if Nikita Tszyu is world class.
“He hasn’t proved himself at that level yet.
“He’s also very hittable.
“So I’m not going to sit here and tell you what a great fighter he is because he’s still unproven.”
Asked if he also expects Zerafa to finish Tszyu, Dib continued: “Well, Nikita isn’t the most technically sound fighter.
“Yes, he has heavy hands.
“But he’s also been knocked down on several occasions.
“So we know he can be hurt.
“And that’s why I do think Zerafa is a good chance of stopping him.
“Because Mick can definitely punch. And punches a lot harder than guys who’ve knocked Nikita down in the past.”
Soon after, Dib continued: “There has also been a lot of turmoil within the Tszyu camp, with Tim changing teams and so on.
“Which could weigh heavy [on Nikita].
“That’s why I think Mick might be getting this one at the right time.
“Obviously Zerafa’s whiskers will have to hold up against Nikita – and I believe they will.
“His experience in big fights will also serve him well. He won’t get flustered.
“Mick comes in with a chip on his shoulder too, so he’ll be on.
“But we’ll see.
“This is definitely a great fight for the Australian public and if Nikita wins his career really catapults.
“But if he gets beat? I think he will then stay as a domestic level fighter.”
Nikita not afraid ahead of Zerafa fight | 01:12
Only last week, Mazoudier also tipped a loss for the younger Tszyu sibling, with whom he has previously thrown down.
Back in August last year, the now Central Coast fighter was trailing narrowly on the scorecards when stopped by Tszyu in what was Australian promoter No Limit’s 2024 Fight of the Year.
“It’s a really hard one to predict, man,” the Australian champ said initially of finding a winner. “And really is about who wants it more.
“I think Nikita is a true warrior – and that Tszyu name is special in Australia – but I don’t know how much he has passion for the sport.
“Where Zerafa, he has passion for the sport.
“Has that ego, too.
“So I’ll edge towards Michael getting it done.
“But I’ll say this, someone is getting knocked the f*** out whichever way it goes.
“Because both those guys can both hurt each other, and they can both get hurt.”
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