Michael Zerafa says sorry for withdrawing from blockbuster boxing fight against Tim Tszyu

Michael Zerafa has finally said the two words Aussie boxing needed to hear and says he’s ready to become the sport's next villain.

Michael Zerafa has finally delivered the two words that could save his boxing career: “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry to all those fight fans that wanted to see that fight and I am sorry to Foxtel who lost out because of what has happened,” Zerafa told The Daily Telegraph of his aborted July 7 fight against Tim Tszyu.

Determined to resurrect a career forged in bruises and blood, Zerafa issued his first public apology for denying fight fans and Foxtel what would have been the biggest boxing event of the year.

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In one of the great Australian boxing controversies, Stevie Spark was rushed in as a last-minute replacement to fight Tim Tszyu after Zerafa refused to travel to Newcastle for the multimillion-dollar match.

“Of course I am sorry,” Zerafa said. “I know how much people wanted this fight and I did too. I had invested three years into getting the fight so I didn’t pull out because I wanted to.

“But I know people lost money and I am sincerely sorry and I apologise to fight fans and I apologise to Foxtel. I want to come back and earn their respect.’’

Painters replace Michael Zerafa on the mural to promote the fight between Tim Tszyu and Zerafa's replacement, Steve Spark.

The apology does not extend to Tszyu – who he squarely blamed for causing the cancellation. The former Commonwealth super welterweight champion claims contract cuts, Covid restrictions and last-minute changes put him in an impossible position.

“People have to understand that it was not my doing,” he said.

“They made it impossible. I was going to get paid big money even if I lost in 10 seconds. Foxtel needs to understand that they didn’t get the whole story. The contract that was handed to me before the fight was different to the contract I signed eight weeks before the fight. Promises were broken and they did everything they could to make sure I would lose.

Michael Zerafa says he’s sorry his fight against Tim Tszyu was called off.

“I really hope Foxtel gives me an opportunity to make it up. I have given them my whole career and I am willing to give them much more.”

Zerafa said he ultimately asked for the fight to be postponed when Covid resurfaced in NSW. “I was going to have to fly there on the day of the event and without my team,” Zerafa said.

“I didn’t ask for it to be cancelled. Never did. I just asked for it to be postponed. I wanted it moved and delayed by two weeks. I couldn’t go there without my team and fight. I hope people understand that there were a number of genuine issues.”

Zerafa is aware the no-show may have ended his career in Australia.

“I really hope not,” Zerafa said. “If anything, I can be an even bigger drawcard now I am the bad guy. We always need villains and I can be that guy. I will happily be the new Anthony Mundine because we need a character like that.”

Michael Zerafa says he has no issue with being Aussie boxing’s villain.

While he hasn’t given up hope on resurrecting his Australian career, Zerafa is prepared to self-fund an American relocation should he fail to rebuild bridges burnt.

“I feel like I am at my peak and I want to test myself against the best,” Zerafa said.

“I will leave no stone unturned. I am prepared to invest in myself and going to America will cost me at least $40,000 but I am prepared to invest in myself. I have been there before. I lived in L.A. for a while but couldn’t land a fight. I just want to land a big fight and get the opportunity to prove myself.”

Originally published as Michael Zerafa says sorry for withdrawing from blockbuster boxing fight against Tim Tszyu