Tim Tszyu-Michael Zerafa cancelled: Replacement named as Victorian fighter pulls out

Michael Zerafa was delivered the biggest fight of his career on a platter. This is why the boxer pulled out of the Tim Tszyu blockbuster.

EMBARGOED FOR SATURDAY 5th JUNE Pictured at the Tszyu Boxing Gym in Rockdale is Tim Tszyu in a training session ahead of his July 7th fight against Michael Zerafa. Picture: Richard Dobson

He promised Micky Hatton would enter the ring. Instead, we got Mickey Mouse.

Michael Zerafa’s boxing career is in tatters after sensationally withdrawing from his fight against Tim Tszyu seven days before it was to take place in Newcastle.

His team claimed they only wanted the date changed, but there is no valid health excuse the Zerafa camp can produce as to why he couldn’t get from Melbourne to the Steel City for what was to be the biggest boxing event of the year in this country.

Watch Tim Tszyu v Michael Zerafa on Main Event available on Foxtel and Kayo, Wednesday 7 July at 7pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

Promoters went as far as offering him a private jet from a runway in Essendon straight to Newcastle, along with a motel for only the fighter and his team.

Then they, along with NSW Combat Sports Authority, offered to allow Zerafa the unprecedented move of weighing in on Tuesday in Melbourne – with Tszyu’s weigh-in at Newcastle – then flying he and his team to Newcastle Entertainment Centre on fight day, and flying them out immediately after the fight on July 7.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

Zerafa and his camp cited advice they received from the Victorian Covid hotline.

Zerafa was to hold a press conference in Melbourne at 5pm to explain himself. He’s now cancelled it. A replacement fighter will be named, Tszyu will be fighting someone else on July 7

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) June 30, 2021

STEVIE SPARK STEPS UP!

Queensland's Stevie Spark will fight Tim Tszyu next Wednesday night after Michael Zerafa withdrew.

"I'm a fighter and fighters fight. I'm fit and I'm ready and I'm coming to Newcastle to win!"#TszyuSparkpic.twitter.com/xMPnBjA3vF

— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) June 30, 2021

John Barilaro says Zerafa is running scared. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

They ignored the message of NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who emphatically stated it was safe to travel to Newcastle. They ignored the NSW Health authority and Victorian Covid Response Team’s assurances to promoters No Limit Boxing saying it was fine for Zerafa to travel.

Just how safe is it? Well, Tszyu will still be fighting next Wednesday.

He will take on 24-year-old Queenslander Steve Spark, who has stepped up at the very last minute to save this entire fight card.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Zerafa has virtually killed off his career in Australia.

Seething television executives vowed Zerafa would never be sighted on Main Event or Fox Sports following his backflip.

Zerafa stood to earn $300,000 from this bout – he only took home $30,000 fighting Anthony Mundine in his previous fight.

Michael Zerafa has threatened to pull out of the fight. Picture: Grant Trouville.

It hasn’t smelt right for some time.

After verbally baiting Tszyu for years, Zerafa was remarkably quiet at the very first press conference to unveil the grudge bout.

He then failed to show at a Fox Sports promotional event, citing a stomach virus that required a hospital stay.

Promoters are now even questioning that story.

Given the hype and rivalry between the pair, Zerafa’s decision to pull out has cost No Limit and Main Event at least $1 million.

Zerafa had planned a press conference in Melbourne for 5pm Wednesday to explain himself, but then hastily cancelled it.

Earlier in the day, Barilaro had told News Corp: “NSW borders are not closed, there is a Covid-safe plan in place at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre for Tim and Michael to face off on July 7.

“The city of Newcastle is ready, the date is set. All that is left is for both fighters to turn up.

Tim Tszyu says his opponent is running scared. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“Newcastle has already gone 10 rounds with COVID and is still on its feet.

“The only person this fight might not be safe for is Michael Zerafa.”

After Zerafa’s shock call, No Limit chief executive George Rose labelled him a coward.

“We knew from the moment he looked Tim in the eyes at the press conference and went quiet that he never wanted this fight,” Rose said.

“I knew it. Tim knew it. Australia knew it.

“He never wanted this fight and all I can say is I’m sorry for everyone who has wanted this fight for so long.

“We said rain hail or shine, Tim Tszyu was fighting in Newcastle on July 7 and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

“Full credit to Steve Spark for taking this fight at short notice.

“We know he is going to make for an incredibly difficult fight for Tim.”

Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa face off in Newcastle. Picture: Peter Lorimer/Getty

Tszyu added: “Credit to Steve for taking this fight. He’s a dangerous fighter with a lot of power.

“I’ve seen it for myself. I was ringside at the fight in Wollongong when he hammered Jack Brubaker, and saw how well he did under the bright lights.”

Spark (12-1, 11KO) has a 90 per cent knockout ratio and had been positioned to one day be a rival for Tszyu – but not this quickly.

“I’m a fighter and fighters fight, I like challenges and life is about taking risks,” Spark said. “With no risk there is no reward.

“I’ve dreamed about fighting Tim Tszyu and obviously this has come a little bit quicker than I expected but that’s a good thing. I’m fit and I’m ready and I’m coming to Newcastle to win.

“This is Cinderella Man, this is Rocky. This is my golden ticket.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu-Michael Zerafa cancelled: Replacement named as Victorian fighter pulls out