Nikita Tszyu says he doesn’t understand his brother’s decision to dump a corner that he will keep, he insists, for the rest of his career – while also drawing a penis on live TV when asked about his message for impending rival Michael Zerafa.
Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
No stranger to making a headline, The Butcher has once again starred in a chaotic evening inside the Pat Rafter Arena, which included a wonderfully public backstage slanging match with Zerafa.
When fronting a Main Event panel during the broadcast for Liam Paro’s IBF world title eliminator, Tszyu was also given some paper and a pen – then asked if he had a message for Zerafa down at ringside, working in commentary with Ben Damon.
At which point the fighter drew an appendage.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, Tszyu and Zerafa are expected to throw down in an all-Australian grudge match this November, a fight that will be easily the biggest test of Tszyu’s undefeated career.
It’s understood the two camps are close to signing, with a key sticking point being what weight the contest takes place at – with Tszyu a super welterweight, and Zerafa a middleweight.
However, Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings took umbrage with journalists questioning his charge about weight, joking that it could potentially take place at heavyweight.
Only 20 minutes earlier, Jennings had confirmed during a media scrum that he was one of five staffers Tim Tszyu would no longer be working with, after deciding to make a fresh start in the United States.
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Yet Nikita, who also has always shared the same team as his older brother, stressed he would be keeping the group for the rest of his career.
The fighter also suggested a showdown with Zerafa was inevitable as the pair exchanged words backstage.
Tszyu was chatting with media when Zerafa passed on his way to the commentary booth.
“Sign the contract brother,” Pretty Boy shouted at Tszyu.
To which The Butcher replied with a grin: “Someone told me you would say that”.
“Sign the contract,” Zerafa said, going again. “You haven’t signed it.”
Tszyu: “I haven’t?
Zerafa: “You haven’t signed it yet …
Tszyu: “I’m pretty sure I have.”
Zerafa: “See you soon then”.
When Zerafa moved off Tszyu was then asked if he indeed had signed a deal?
“Honestly no,” he laughed.
“My management are the ones that control it all. I’m just chilling at home.
“I’m training.
“Preparing for the inevitable.
“I think we all know what’s coming down the line.
“And when everything does get signed and become official, we’ll be coming out hard.”
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Told he could potentially start the bout as an underdog, Tszyu continued: “Oh, for sure.
“And that’s how you grow in the sport.
“You take on challenges, you silence critics, you do what is deemed impossible.
“That’s how you make a name for yourself.
“If I keep fighting guys who everyone thinks I’m going to win against, that’s not going to bring the same level of momentum to my career.
“Like the fight against Dylan Biggs, I was considered 50/50.
“A lot of people said I was probably going to lose that fight, but I came out on top.
“And I hope the same conversations are happening now.
“I hope more people think I’m going to lose because that’s just going to cement my name at the top.”
But as for what weight the bout will be contested at?
“Remember how I told you I’m living in my own little bubble, and nobody tells me anything,” he grinned, “I dunno”.
What weight would you like it to be?
Body shot leaves opponent shattered | 01:04
“This is the thing, I trust my team,” he continued. “So whatever weight we do it at, whatever the contract is signed at I’m happy with it.”
Journalists then asked another question about weight when Jennings interrupted: “Guys we haven’t signed anything, why are we talking about weights?”
At which point it was suggested the question was fairly important, with Jennings laughing soon after: “I’ll give you an exclusive he’s fighting him at heavyweight.”
Elsewhere, Nikita Tszyu also spoke for the first time about his brother having split with a large chunk of Team Tszyu.
Asked about his brother moving away from a group he also uses, Nikita said: “Obviously it’s sad but life goes on.”
Is it the team that can get you to a world title?
“I don’t even think about it that way,” the boxer shrugged. “However far we get, we get.
“Win lose or draw, they’re the people I want in the change rooms after the fight.
“So for me? No, nothing is changing.
“If anything, my relationship with my team has gotten even stronger.
“They’re going to stay until the last day.”
Asked if he could relate to brother’s thinking, Nikita continued: “Honestly, no.
“I don’t fully understand it, but that’s OK.”
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Asked if Tim was being fuelled by outside influences, the boxer said “guys we’re not going to get into this conspiracy s***”.
Tszyu also revealed he found out about his brother’s move last week, in a phone call from Jennings.
“I was a little bit surprised, a bit shocked,” he said.
“But Tim’s on his own path.
“He wants to do this his way.
“It’s all up to him.”
He didn’t ring you about it?
“No. He knows how to make decisions for himself,” the fighter shrugged.
“My opinion doesn’t mean s***.”
“But all your questions should really be targeted towards Tim.
“I don’t really have any information.”
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