Michael Zerafa’s no-show in surprise twist to Tszyu feud

Australia’s boxing bad boy Michael Zerafa failed to front for what was expected to be an explosive press conference showdown with Nikita Tszyu – and only 24 hours after accusing The Butcher of embarrassing his Hall of Fame father Kostya.

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In a surprise move that has revived memories of his famed 2021 walkout against Tim Tszyu, Zerafa missed the Sydney press conference for Wednesday night’s stacked No Limit pay-per-view.

While Pretty Boy has already flown into the Harbour City for a card being topped by bouts including himself, Nikita Tszyu and Brock Jarvis, promoter George Rose revealed at the start of proceedings that Zerafa wouldn’t be attending.

Zerafa, however, fired back with his own version of events in a statement on Monday.

It comes as both the fighter and the younger Tszyu sibling are expected to use the card to springboard into a massive domestic grudge match in December, the continuation of a longtime feud between the Melburnian and Australia’s most famous fight family.

On Wednesday night, world ranked middleweight Zerafa takes on American Mikey Dahlman (18-1), while Tszyu headlines against undefeated European prospect Lulzim Ismaili (12-0).

Should they both win, No Limit are keen to have the two rivals square off in a stadium show.

Yet while Tszyu, Ismaili and Dahlman were all present for the media event, No Limit boss Rose was unable to shed any light on the reasons behind Zerafa’s absence.

While Rose refused to be drawn on the reasons for the absence of his co-main fighter, the promoter stressed that he expects the world ranked middleweight to be in attendance for Tuesday’s weigh-ins.

Opening the press conference, Rose said of Zerafa: “I have just been informed he won’t be here but will be at the weigh-in tomorrow.

“I was informed before coming to air.”

Asked by Main Event host Ben Damon if he had any concerns of Zerafa missing another No Limit card, a seemingly agitated Rose added “nup” before stressing the co-main would “absolutely” go ahead Wednesday night.

“That fight is going ahead, brother,” he said.

“And Mikey has a real energy about him.

“And I think he’s a guy who could upset plans …”

While he wasn’t on stage, Zerafa’s American rival was present at the event, and stood watching on in the crowd with his small entourage.

Monday’s drama isn’t the first time Zerafa has failed to show for promoters No Limit, having famously walked out on what was so supposed to be a hyped 2021 all-Australian showdown with former world champion Tim Tszyu.

Asked about Zerafa not being there during the press event, Tszyu made a not-so-subtle dig about the previous walkout involving his brother.

“I haven’t been told much about it,” he said. “But I think George (Rose) might have some PTSD.

“He wasn’t liking it.”

Zerafa has already said that rather than fighting Nikita before Christmas, he would also prefer to go straight into a bout with the former world champ, who has now lost three title fights in America.

Over the weekend, Zerafa told Fox Sports Australia that the increasingly bizarre headlines surrounding Nikita Tszyu – which include eating his wife’s placenta and drinking her breast milk – were an embarrassment to everything his old man had achieved in the ring.

Elsewhere, the no-show also follows a week of headlines between Zerafa and Tszyu, with the latter having branded him an attention-seeking “coward”.

In response, Zerafa said Nikita’s increasingly weird antics were disgracing the family legacy created by his father.

Elsewhere, Jarvis also took a shot at the AWOL fighter, with the popular Sydney middleweight having himself been discussed as a potential rival for Nikita Tszyu next.

Jarvis returns to the ring on Wednesday against undefeated Sam Beck, his first fight back after a stoppage loss to American great Keith Thurman earlier this year.

“I don’t know what that’s all about,” Jarvis said when asked about the Zerafa absence.

“But it shows the kind of man he is.

“He’s ran before, done things that are unprofessional … that’s all I can say.”

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings also hinted at the fighter’s previous history, when he weighed briefly into the drama saying: “I hope he turns up”.