Michael Zerafa brought the heat at the official weigh-in, finally firing up ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Nikita Tszyu.
The one-time “bad boy” of Australian boxing – remarkably well-behaved over the past month – saved his best for last, unleashing it during a fiery final staredown with his rival,
After making weight, tensions threatened to boil over with Zerafa walking Tszyu down, going head to head with The Butcher.
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. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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The pair were pulled apart by security before again going nose to nose to continue the staredown.
“The real Michael Zerafa showed up,” said analyst and former champ Paulie Malignaggi.
“… out of nowhere he switched it on.
“It’s been fun and games the whole time and now it’s time to welcome him (Tszyu) to another level. I think it threw Nikita off a little bit.
“Now I feel like it’s a better fight.”
Nikita Tszyu joined the commentary to give his take on the fiery confrontation.
“I’m so happy that he’s back. I’m so happy that I got to see that fighter,” Tszyu said.
“He’s got a bony-ass forehead – so I’m going to aim for the chin,” he joked.
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