Nikita Tszyu lifted the lid on the “evil thoughts” driving him into next year’s blockbuster showdown with Michael Zerafa as the pair came face-to-face yet again.
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre will play host to one of Australian boxing’s most anticipated matchups on Friday, January 16 as Tszyu (11-0, 8 KOs) takes on Zerafa (34-5, 19 KOs).
The fight will be fought at a catchweight between super welterweight and middleweight, promising a spiteful clash that has been years in the making.
On Tuesday, the pair met for a press conference in Brisbane — with the fight venue and a stacked line-up of Aussie boxing stars confirmed — and Tszyu wasn’t mincing his words about the bad blood between the longstanding rivals — despite Zerafa’s recent “nice guy” demeanour.
“He’s been very friendly,” said Tszyu.
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Zerafa ‘Surprised’ Tszyu took fight | 00:47
“But at the end of the day I really want to smash his head in – and I’m sure he wants to do the same to me.
“It’s a funny thing, boxing. We are quite calm… but we know the inevitable future is going to be a bloody mess.
“I’m smiling at him, but in the back of my head I’m thinking that I cannot wait to hit him.”
“I’ve got a bit of a poker face at the moment… but at the back [of my mind] there’s just evil thoughts.”
‘Bad Boy’ Zerafa on the other hand was all smiles.
“It’s locked in. There’s no need for animosity,” explained Zerafa.
“We’ll take it out in the ring. I’m coming here to make a statement…
“The contract is there. I’m not overlooking him, this motivates me. Fight night it will all be settled.”
Meanwhile, former world champ Liam Paro was announced to be fighting Paddy Donovan in an IBF world title eliminator as the co-main event.
Both boxers are highly ranked, with the Aussie at No. 2 and Donovan at No. 3.
“It’s a blessing to be back on home soil,” said Paro about fighting in Brisbane.
“It’s time to do it here. It’s truly special.”
Aussie favourites Billy Polkinghorn, Liam Wilson and Demsey McKean were also announced as part of the stacked card.
No Limit boss George Rose said he’s been worried that a fight will break out between Tszyu and Zerafa while doing promotion this week.
“Gotta risk it” – Tszyu on Zerafa clash | 03:12
“They’ve spent far too much personal time together,” he said.
“They nearly ended up in the same Uber together and then when we got back to the hotel they nearly ended up in the same lift together.
“Im standing in between the pair of them. We’re going to have to sort something out…
“If it breaks out between these two, I don’t want to be the man in the middle. That’s for the pros to handle.”
Following the press conference, Tszyu said he heard Zerafa might be “a little insecure” about the bout.
When asked why he will get his hand raised on January 16, Tszyu said he has more hunger than Zerafa.
“Michael’s near the end of his career and I don’t see that there’s the same level of hunger,”
“When it comes down to it, I’m willing to go the extra mile…
“The hunger is going to be the driving force.”
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