Tim Tszyu says he would absolutely welcome a blockbuster 2026 showdown with America’s Errol Spence Jnr – while also labelling his younger brother’s left hand as “kryptonite” for Michael Zerafa.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Tszyu is jetting into Brisbane this morning to be ringside for his Nikita’s hyped Australian grudge match against longtime family enemy, Michael Zerafa.
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 >
Tszyu’s late arrival comes amid shock headlines suggesting the former world champ is suddenly being discussed for a massive Spence showcase later this year.
Despite having lost three straight title fights on US soil, Tszyu remains popular with American promoters PBC and could be right back in the mix for a big fight should he double down on what was a solid December comeback win over Anthony Velazquez.
While Spence has long been considered among the biggest names in world boxing, a showdown with Tszyu would also make sense given the popular Texan hasn’t fought since being stopped by Terence Crawford way back in July, 2023.
Already, both American analyst Paulie Malignaggi and popular US trainer Robert Garcia have confirmed hearing the whisper about Tszyu taking on the man who was once welterweight king.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Tszyu said he was unsure about what talks were underway with Spence, but stressed his willingness to throw down should he win his next fight, which is being rumoured for Australia in late March.
Tszyu quickly added his immediate focus remains on whoever his new team picks out next for him.
The fighter now dubbed ‘Phoenix’ added that, after a whirlwind trip to cheer his brother in Brisbane, he will then return home to Sydney before jetting out for Miami, Florida late next week — where he will resume training with new Cuban coach Pedro Diaz.
But as for wanting Spence later this year?
“Oh, of course I’d be keen. Are you serious?” Tszyu laughed. “That one, if it is to happen, would be a megafight for Australia.
“One of the biggest ever for an Aussie, and up there alongside Jeff Horn versus Manny Pacquiao.
“It’s an intriguing match up too.
“And with huge stakes and plenty of questions on both sides.
“Do I still have it? Does Spence still have it?
“But I’ll leave all that to my team.
“I head back overseas next Friday and start preparations for whoever is next.”
HEATED Final Face-Off! Tszyu v Zerafa | 03:44
Elsewhere, Tszyu is also tipping his younger brother to KO Zerafa this Friday night and end six years of bad blood between his family and Pretty Boy.
Zerafa famously earned the ire of the Tszyus after walking out on a 2021 headliner against Tim.
However, the former world champion is now tipping his younger brother to end the rivalry, and for good.
“If Nikita lets his left go, I really do think he catches Zerafa,” Tszyu said.
“And that’s because Zerafa’s kryptonite is southpaws.
“We saw that when he was knocked out by Erislandy Lara [in 2024].
“That night Lara was on cruise control.
“Didn’t even break a sweat.
“So Nikita just needs to stay patient, and wait for Michael to over commit.
“Then, he catches him.
“And Nikita has power in his hands.
“It’s why he doesn’t need to make this a dogfight. He just needs to stay methodical … then smack him out.”
Tszyu added Zerafa’s trouble with southpaws goes back years, recounting the Melbourne boxer being “rocked” way back in 2013, against a Sydney-based Filipino named Rey Anton Olarte.
“And I remember because Rey used to train out of our gym,” Tszyu said. “He could hit hard and I remember him rocking Zerafa when they fought.
“Really put him on ice skates for a bit.”
According to Boxrec, Zerafa was put down in the third round by the southpaw – who at the time had a record of 18-22-8 – before eventually recovering to earn a decision win, albeit with two scorecards reading: 96-94 and 95-94.
“I also think Nikita is hungrier than Michael,” his brother continued.
“Yes, Zerafa is experienced.
“And he knows how to bring out that dog in him.
“But my brother has been through some really hard fights.
“He also really understands the game.
“This is experience versus hunger.”
Asked if he was surprised by Zerafa’s decision this week to abandon his longtime persona as Australian boxing’s bad boy, and Tszyu laughed.
“I don’t know what’s going on, man,” he cackled. “But it definitely seems like somebody is a little confused.
“It makes no sense.
“But who knows? Maybe it helps him.
“I know Australian fans went really against him there for a while.
“And maybe he was affected mentally by that.
“It can’t be great when the whole world hates you so maybe he wants to come in with a different mindset for this one.”
Mundine breaks down Tszyu v Zerafa | 03:12
Elsewhere, Tszyu also opened up a whirlwind travel run that, initially, saw him traversing the United States to find a coach, before then basing for several months in Miami.
From there, Tszyu then returned home for the 10 days prior to beating Velazquez, after which he then jetted out again with wife Alex for a holiday visiting Finland, Amsterdam, Vienna and Istanbul.
Asked if he was getting used to living out of a suitcase, Tszyu laughed: “I do wake up some nights now thinking ‘where the f*** am I?’
“You go a little crazy.
“Even now I’ve only been home a couple of days and I’m headed up to Brisbane.
“But obviously I want to be there to support Nikita and can’t wait for the fight.”
Certainly, talk will also continue to build around a proposed fight with Spence — a superstar with whom Tszyu shares something of a contentious history.
Way back in 2023, and on the eve of fighting American Tony Harrison for WBO gold, Australia’s pay-per-view king branded Spence “a punk” and hinted that they could be set for a future showdown.
The declaration followed Spence, at the time still ranked No. 4 on the world’s pound-for-pound list, taking to social media to declare he was wagering $10,000 on a Harrison upset, and after also having backed Tszyu (unsuccessfully) to get beat by Terrell Gausha.
Then prior to Tszyu’s Las Vegas headliner against Sebastian Fundora early the next year, Spence again took to social media in fight week, writing on ‘X’: “Headed to Vegas. I want the winner”.
And just to ensure everyone understood exactly what he meant by that, the 34-year-old Texan added video imagery of a shark.
Asked soon after about Spence’s challenge, Tszyu grinned: “I’ve wanted Errol Spence for a long time.
“We’ve had history, he’s called me a few things so I’d like that fight as well.”
Also in Brisbane this week to work the Main Event commentary for Tszyu-Zerafa, Malignaggi revealed the whispers were growing louder about Tim Tszyu facing Spence for what will be the American’s first appearance in almost three years.
US trainer Garcia also confirmed the rumour – saying “I heard that too last night” – when asked if Spence might be next for his undefeated charge, Vergil Ortiz Jnr.
Garcia dismissed the idea of Ortiz Jr facing Spence anytime soon, saying: “He’s been out for so long, and he’s had problems, accidents, so it wouldn’t be that exciting for me right now.
“If he goes out and looks sensational and destroys Tszyu, then, yes, it’ll make a lot of sense.”
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