Tim Tszyu v Takeshi Inoue: Japanese fighter disproves Michael Zerafa’s claims he ‘bashed him’
Controversial Australian boxer Michael Zerafa claimed he bashed Takeshi Inoue during sparring. The Japan fighter says this footage debunks those claims.
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Takeshi Inoue has released footage from his controversial sparring session against Michael Zerafa and says he will dominate Tim Tszyu in the same manner on Wednesday night.
After Tuesday’s weigh-in, Inoue showed journalists footage of the 2016 sparring session against Zerafa - in which the Melbourne fighter says he bashed Inoue.
“That’s absolutely not the case at all, if anything I feel I had the upper hand,” Inoue said.
“And we’ve got video from that sparring session right here, if you want to take a look, we’ve got the video to prove it.
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“This is the actual sparring session with Michael Zerafa. We’re going to send this to No Limit and they will make it available to the media and to the people of Australia and the people of the world.
“I feel I had the edge. Maybe Michael Zerafa is just confused and mistaken about this.
“We’d like to send the video out and everybody who is watching, the fans, you decide for yourself.
WATCH INOUE-ZERAFA SPARRING SESSION IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
“And keep in mind, this was four years ago. At the time I believed Michael Zerafa was a world-ranked boxer, I had maybe one or two eight-rounders at the time.
“I’m looking forward to the match tomorrow [against Tszyu].
“Please think about how I have improved over that time, and what I’m going to do in the ring.”
Inoue added: “There’s no comparison [to 2016], I’ve gotten a lot stronger, I plan to show that and demonstrate that against my opponent Tim Tszyu tomorrow.”
Zerafa was amused by Inoue’s decision to release the footage.
“Takeshi has put together clips in a 30-second highlight reel to show off his best moments of the sparring session, and it is still even,” Zerafa said.
“I’m not troubled at any point in that vision, I’m jabbing him, keeping me off. He’s trying to make himself look good with that edited clip, and that’s his best work, but they’re saying I stopped after the second round and he knocked me out, that’s garbage.
“He’s even changed his tune now, first saying he stopped me and now saying ‘I think I got the better of him’.
“Look, it’s 24 hours before the fight and they’re still talking about me to soak up media attention.”
Tszyu said: “I’m coming for his head, I’m coming for his body, I’m coming for everything.”
Zerafa-Inoue feud turns nasty
Michael Zerafa says Takeshi Inoue is angry that he’ll be bashed by two Australians after the Japanese fighter once again labelled him a liar over their controversial sparring session.
Both Zerafa and Inoue claim they dominated the other man during the spar in Japan in 2016, and Inoue addressed the issue on Sunday in front of a packed Bondi beach crowd during a media promotional event to promote Wednesday’s fight against Tim Tszyu.
“Just about everything Michael Zerafa is saying is a lie,” Inoue said to a chorus of cheers from the beach crowd.
“When we sparred a few years back, I controlled the session, I dominated every round, and it just strikes me that he is a liar, and he is childlike.”
But Zerafa hit back emphatically.
“He thinks, I know – he’s just salty he’s getting bashed by two Aussies, Tim will beat him on Wednesday night, just like I beat him in sparring,” Zerafa said.
“They’re three days out from the fight and they’re still talking about Zerafa – from a bloke who doesn’t speak English.”
Zerafa became public enemy No.1 when he pulled out of fighting Tszyu at the last minute in July – replaced by Steve Spark, who Tszyu stopped in three rounds.
“I want the fight against Tim because it is a fight the Australian public wants to see,’ Zerafa said.
“I’m at middleweight, Tim is a division below. We have got our own paths, what he does doesn’t affect me, what I do doesn’t affect him.
“But a fight between me and Tim would be giving back to the Australian boxing fans.”
Zerafa (28-4, 17KO) is embarking on a return to the world scene, starting with a fight on December 17 against relative unknown Siliveni Nawai (12-4-1, 8KO) from Fiji.
“My next fight is against a journeyman, it’s tough to get fights especially from overseas,” Zerafa said.
“I haven’t fought for two years because of the pandemic but we’ve got a tough guy on December 17, and then the rebuild starts against Isaac Hardman next year.”
“I’m sitting at No.8 in the world 9 [with WBA] and I’m looking for big things.”
How Inoue-Zerafa trash talk started
Takeshi Inoue has declared he will bash Tim Tszyu in the same way he did his rival Michael Zerafa in a sparring session.
Inoue has revealed that in a 2016 spar in Tokyo, he dominated Zerafa before the Australian boxer later “quit” against his training partner Kazuto Takesako.
The two Japanese boxers also claim Zerafa and his team later posted footage of the sparring session on social media, selecting only a moment that he seemed to get the better of , claiming he had in fact pummeled Inoue.
“Zerafa was telling everybody that he bashed me in Japan, well that wasn’t the case,” Inoue told News Corp.
“It was a one-way fight, I bashed him and I’ll do the same to Tim Tszyu.
“There’s a video on the internet, of Zerafa sparring Kazuto Takesako, who is now Japan’s middleweight champion, and during the sparring he quit.
“In the video, that’s not me.
“Somehow the story got mixed up, but if Zerafa is telling others that he bashed me he is a complete liar.
“When I sparred against Zerafa I was a six-round boxer, I was new, and yet Zerafa was overwhelmed by me. So if Zerafa ever fought Tszyu he would have a hard time.
“Contractually they had three rounds of sparring but towards of the end of the second round, the last 30 seconds, he rushed and then left the gym and never came back.”
But Zerafa rubbished Inoue’s claims about who won the sparring session.
“Takeshi thinks, I know – I think he’s losing his brain,” Zerafa said.
“There is footage being passed around, I have it, so after he gets shut up on Wednesday night I’ll shut him up too.
“He talks a big game for someone who couldn’t do much.”
backed up Inoue’s statement, saying: “After sparring, Zerafa came up to me and asked for my winning record. I was 3-0 at that time, now I am 13-0-1.
“We were supposed to fight three rounds, but after two rounds he quit, saying ‘I’ve had enough’.
“He predetermined that he would finish after two rounds, so towards the end of the second he threw a flurry of shots that made him look dominant, and he used the vision of that 30 seconds of that session to put out to make him look good.
“The vision was just the last 30 seconds of that sparring session, it doesn’t show what happened before.
“He wasn’t wearing any headgear, I found that an insult and that inspired me to fight harder.”
Inoue’s claim gives context to the challenge facing Tszyu, given Zerafa went on to defeat Australian legends Jeff Horn and Anthony Mundine, before signing to fight Tszyu earlier this year only to withdraw at the last minute.
Inoue and Tszyu have both promised knockout victories on Wednesday night in their 12-round super-welterweight fight at Qudos Bank Arena.
Tszyu (19-0, 15KO) is ranked No.1 by the WBO while Inoue (17-1, 10KO) is No.7. While Tszyu is already mandated to fight WBO champion Brian Castano next year, he would lose that position should Inoue defeat him.
“I will be bigger and stronger on the night, I will exhaust him and break his spirit and knock him out,” Inoue said.
Zerafa (28-4, 17KO) meanwhile, will make his return to the ring on December 17 against New Zealand’s Siliveni Nawai and is then lining up a fight against undefeated Isaac Hardman next year.
Tszyu (19-0, 15KO) is ranked No.1 by the WBO while Inoue (17-1, 10KO) is No.7. While Tszyu is already mandated to fight WBO champion Brian Castano next year, he would lose that position should Inoue defeat him.
“I will be bigger and stronger on the night, I will exhaust him and break his spirit and knock him out,” Inoue said.
Samurai spirit: How manga inspired Tszyu rival
The man intent on destroying Tim Tszyu’s world title dreams took up boxing after being inspired by a Manga comic.
And Takeshi Inoue has warned Tszyu that on Wednesday night, he will bring the Samurai warrior spirit of his Japanese ancestors in their super-welterweight showdown.
“Being Japanese, my strength is the unbroken spirit, that will accompany me in the fight, a Samurai spirit,” Inoue said.
The 31-year-old revealed that a comic book led to him lacing on the gloves for the first time as a youngster.
“I read the Manga comic Hajime No Ippo, which means The First Step, that inspired me to become a boxer,” Inoue said.
“I was in Year 9, and I often watched boxing matches broadcast late at night in Japan.
“Since then, the only thing that has been on my mind is to become a world champion.”
Inoue claimed Japan’s youth boxing title three years later, and after turning professional won his first 14 fights before challenging champion Jaime Munguia for the WBO super-welterweight title in Houston in 2019.
Inoue lost on points to the still undefeated Munguia, though it was a close contest and showed that Tokyo banger belongs at the elite level.
“When I fought against Munguia, some said it was a good fight by me, but this time I don’t want to just put up a good fight, I want to produce a clear victory,” Inoue said.
“That way I can meet the Japanese public’s expectations.”
Inoue is adamant he will bully Tszyu with his size, break his will and knock him out in the later rounds of their fight at Qudos Bank Arena.
If he does, No.1 ranked Tszyu (19-0, 15KO) would lose his shot at the WBO title now held by Brian Castano, and Inoue would get a second chance to realise his dream of becoming world champion.
Since his only defeat, Inoue (17-1, 10KO) has notched four successive victories to be ranked No.7 by the WBO.
Prior to arriving in Sydney, Inoue spent two months in the United Kingdom sparring former WBA International super-welterweight champion Anthony Fowler, and says he is in prime condition.
“I will win this fight and return to Japan victorious,” Inoue said.
“I had very good sparring against Anthony Fowler, my training camp has been very good and I am ready to knock out Tim Tszyu.”
This 12-round contest is yet another major bout between world-class Japanese and Australian fighters, and Inoue wants to break barriers.
“I know the history of big fights between Japanese and Australian boxers, there is a long history of many great fights,” Inoue said.
“I hope that I can be part of that history and carry that tradition.
“There aren’t many fighters above middleweight in Japan, so by fighting overseas I hope I can give other Japanese boxers in heavier divisions dreams and hopes.
“We have fighters, but there are better fighters overseas in the heavier divisions so getting out of Japan and producing good results means a lot to me.
“By fighting on the global stage, I want to encourage other Japanese fighters to do the same.”
Ripped and ready: I’m gonna knock Tszyu out
A ripped and robust Takeshi Inoue has declared he will be too big and strong for Tim Tszyu and predicts a knockout victory in their November 17 showdown.
Inoue held his first open training session in Sydney on Tuesday morning after arriving from Japan, and showed off his impressive physique to the large media contingent.
“I’m thinking I’ll knock out Tim Tszyu, that’s how I’m practising,” Inoue said via a translator.
“My punch now is very powerful, so I can beat Tim Tszyu.”
Inoue’s trainer, Tatsuya Saita, went further.
“He will knock out Tszyu in the seventh or eighth round,” Saita said.
“Tim Tszyu will be shocked, he is in big trouble.
“Tszyu is an amazing athlete, but fighting Takeshi, who has a bigger frame than his past opponents, he will get exhausted.”
Inoue’s only defeat in 19 fights was to undefeated champion Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30KO) via points in Houston two years ago.
Since then Inoue (17-1-1, 10KO) has racked up four successive victories to be ranked No.7 by the WBO, with Tszyu (19-0, 15KO) the mandatory No.1 challenger to champion Brian Castano.
“Tim Tszyu has only had fights in Australia, he hasn’t got experience overseas, I have more experience including Munguia,” Inoue said.
“I lost, but the fight was very close so I have confidence. I think I can beat Tim Tszyu.
“When I fought Munguia, I realised I needed more distance, so I’ve practised fighting at distance and improved that.
“My boxing now, I can fight both close and at a distance.”
Tszyu has promised to knock out Inoue within six rounds, so it’s clear both men will enter the Qudos Bank Arena ring on Wednesday week with intentions of throwing big bombs.
Saita reiterated Inoue’s game plan of fighting Tszyu on the outside.
“When Takeshi fought Munguia, the strategy was to fight in close, but now he fights at reach and catches his opponents at the end of his punches,” Saita said.
“He will keep Tszyu at a distance so he can land the optimum punch.”
This fight is an enormous risk to Tszyu, who has already been mandated to fight Castano for the world title next year.
If Tszyu suffers his first professional defeat next week (17 November), he also loses his mandatory position as challenger.
Castano fought WBC, WBA and IBF champion Jermell Charlo to unify the super-welterweight division on July 17, with the contest being ruled a split draw despite most observers believing Castano won.
The pair are now in the midst of negotiating a rematch, possibly next February, although nothing is confirmed.
Should Tszyu defeat Inoue, he would be in prime position to challenge the winner of that mooted rematch.
If the rematch does not eventuate, Castano must defend his belt against Tszyu by April 2022.
FIGHT CLUB: JOEY LEILUA BOXING DEBUT ON GALLEN-MOLONEY EVENT
By: Jamie Pandaram and Nick Walshaw
Paul Gallen and Andrew Moloney will headline a first of its kind double-header boxing event held over consecutive nights in Newcastle next month.
The major show will be staged on Thursday, December 9 and Friday, December 10 at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, with former world champion Moloney headlining the Thursday night Fox Sports show, and Gallen leading Friday’s Main Event pay-per-view event against NRL player Josh Aloiai.
Gallen and Aloiai finally agreed to terms for an eight-round heavyweight bout over two-minute rounds, following weeks of argument over the number of rounds and length of rounds – with Gallen initially wanting six three-minute rounds and Aloiai demanding six two-minute rounds.
Gallen labelled 25-year-old Manly prop Aloiai “an arrogant prick” during a live Instagram video conference last weekend before agreeing to the 8x2-minute round contest.
On the Gallen-Aloiai undercard, controversial former Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua will fight club legend Chris Heighington in a 4x2-minute round bout.
Leilua, 29, was released by the Tigers and blasted coach Michael Maguire on the way out, and has yet to find a new club. Heighington, 39, played 201 games for the Tigers before moving to Cronulla then finishing his career at Newcastle in 2018.
Brisbane star Kotoni Staggs will also fight on that card against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
Meanwhile on the Thursday Fox Sports show, Moloney (21-2, 14KO) will headline against Filipino Froilan Saludar (32-4-1, 22KO) for the WBO Oriental super-flyweight title.
Moloney is returning from his trilogy fight loss to WBA champion Josh Franco in August in the United States.
The 30-year-old Australian won the interim title in 2019 against Elton Dharry before Franco defeated Moloney in Las Vegas the following year.
The close fight saw a rematch that was controversially ruled a no-contest despite Moloney landing a legal punch that closed Franco’s eye in the second round.
But Moloney’s quest for revenge was doused by a rejuvenated Franco who won by unanimous decision 10 weeks ago.
On the Moloney undercard, Tszyu’s last opponent Steve Spark will fight, as well as big-punching welterweight Lenny Zappavigna on another stacked show.
Newcastle, which has recently held two Tim Tszyu fights, will be transformed into Australia’s fight capital for the week as a host of boxing and NRL identities head to the Steel City from the start of December.
Watch Canelo Álvarez vs Caleb Plant LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo and Foxtel, Sunday 7th November from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
BIG-MONEY OFFER FOR UFC LEGEND
A millionaire sheik has offered UFC legend Mark Hunt the opportunity to throw down at least one more time before he retires, with the Sydney knockout king currently contemplating an offer to box in Abu Dhabi before Christmas.
Despite having lost his most recent bout against Paul Gallen, the now 47-year-old remains an undeniable fight favourite among fans around the world, including in the Middle East. Hunt has been offered to fight on a December card which is said to be bankrolled by a sheik.
The Sydneysider will make a decision within days.
AUSSIE UFC CHAMP TO WORK WITH NRL CLUB
Alexander Volkanovski has joined the new explosion of UFC fighters working in the NRL, with Australia’s reigning featherweight champ signing up this week to work with St George Illawarra for the 2022 season.
In a huge coup for the Dragons, Volkanovski and his head coach Joe Lopez have both agreed to join Anthony Griffin’s coaching staff and work with players on wrestling, tackle technique and conditioning.
The new partnership comes only weeks after News Corp revealed Newcastle had signed retired UFC light heavyweight James Te Huna as a wrestling coach, while premiers Penrith worked closely this year with Australia’s first UFC champion Robert Whittaker.
Also working at the Panthers was fellow UFC middleweight Jacob Malkoun and the pair’s head coach Alex Prates, who was also employed as a wrestling coach at South Sydney when they won the 2014 grand final.
Te Huna also has a long association with rugby league, dating back to his work with Parramatta during their fairytale run to the 2009 decider.
The new Dragons contract represents something of a return home for Volkanovski, who was once a standout front-rower with the Warilla Gorillas.
Back in 2010, the Wollongong prop was even awarded the Mick Cronin medal as Group 7 Player of the Year.
ZERAFA REVEALS PLAN FOR COMEBACK BOUT
Tim Tszyu’s nemesis Michael Zerafa has revealed he has already gone toe-to-toe with Takeshi Inoue.
Zerafa sparred Inoue in 2016 in Japan when he was helping Jayde Mitchell prepare for his fight against Shintaro Matsumoto in Tokyo, and word is that Zerafa looked impressive.
“I did really well, you’ve got to use your range with him, he is a tough, walk-forward fighter, he uses his body weight really well,” Zerafa said.
“He’s got a lot of power, he showed that against [Jaime] Munguia.
“It’s going to be a test for Tim, but Tim is improving.
“Credit to him for stepping up, but the fight is with me, you’ve got to clear out your own backyard.”
While Zerafa still wants a showdown with Tszyu following his last-minute withdrawal from their scheduled fight on July 7, he is lining up different plans starting with a comeback fight on December 10 at Melbourne Pavilion.
Tszyu’s November 17 fight against Inoue at Qudos Bank Arena is set to sell 10,000 tickets, making it one of the biggest events at the venue.
ADESANYA URGED TO SIGN OFF ON BLOCKBUSTER
Israel Adesanya has been urged to sign off on a UFC 271 blockbuster with arch rival Robert Whittaker, with the Australian‘s team declaring: “We could’ve fought in New York this weekend”.
Speaking with this column on Tuesday night, Whittaker‘s agent Titus Day confirmed Whittaker has now received a fight contract for the February headliner, although said no venue had yet been finalised for the card.
Day added Australia‘s first UFC champ had initially been willing to rematch against Adesanya at UFC 268 inside Madison Square Garden this Sunday (AEST).
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“But then November became December, which became January and then it was delayed again,” he said. ”So by the time the fight finally rolls around, Rob will have been ready for months.
“But that‘s fine.
“He has no problem with it.
“But we‘re certainly now hopeful everything will be sorted for February.”
While several reasons have been given for the delay, Day confirmed it was to ensure Adesanya could not only get into America for the fight but back home again, with New Zealand currently enforcing strict restrictions around travellers entering the country.
BUSY YEAR AHEAD FOR AUSSIE HEAVYWEIGHT
JUSTIS Huni plans to have an astonishing seven fights in 2022, having announced he will no longer attempt to compete at the Commonwealth Games and instead focus on his professional career.
A showdown against Kiwi rival Junior Fa is close to being signed for April, but Australia’s heavyweight champion Huni will first make his return from hand surgery in January or February.
The timing of his return fight depends on the date of the world title fight of his Tasman Fighters stablemate Jai Opetaia, who will take on IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis.
Opetaia (20-0, 16KO) fights Trent Broadhurst on December 4 in a tune-up fight, before challenging Briedis (28-1, 20KO) in February or March next year in a bout organisers are trying to stage in Australia.
Given Briedis’ only loss was a majority points defeat to undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, he will be a huge test for Opetaia.
WORLD’S BEST BOXER’S SHOT AT HISTORY
The best boxer on the planet, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, attempts to become the first unified super-middleweight champion in history this weekend when he takes on undefeated American Caleb Plant.
But the pressure on Canelo’s shoulders pale in comparison to the real-life horror story he recently revealed to US journalist Graham Bensinger about negotiating his brother’s release from kidnappers three years ago.
Canelo’s brother was taken by a group of Mexican gangsters who demanded a ransom the week he had to fight Rocky Fielding in December 2018.
Over the phone, Canelo negotiated the safe release of his brother, before knocking out Fielding in three rounds just days later.
Plant (21-0, 12KO) is a huge underdog against Canelo (56-1-2, 38KO), who is the biggest draw in the fight game.
The bout will be shown live on Sunday from noon on Main Event pay-per-view ($59.95).
MONSTER PREPARED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Heavyweight monster Jackson Murray has not only been sparring Paul Gallen, but also UFC star Tyson Pedro as he prepares to make a statement to his rivals.
Murray (1-0, 1KO) has already signalled his intent to land a showdown with Justis Huni in the future. Ahead of his bout against Shant Nercessian on the Tszyu-Inoue undercard on November 17, the 201cm behemoth is getting in a variety of work.
Pedro was an accomplished amateur boxer, winning the NSW championship in 2010 before switching to mixed martial arts.
The pair have held heavy sparring sessions this week. Murray has worked on his range with the shorter Gallen, and his inside wrestling with the expert grappler Pedro.
Having overcome serious injuries, Pedro is determined to return to a UFC card early next year.
FLYWEIGHT PRODIGY’S HUGE CLAIM TO UFC BOSS
Australia’s hottest flyweight prospect Steve Erceg has delivered a stunning proposal to UFC president Dana White: “Give me a contract and I’ll go top five straight away”.
Currently on an undefeated run of seven straight wins, 26-year-old Erceg is now demanding a UFC contract after once again defending his Eternal title at the weekend, defeating Paul Loga via first round submission.
The fighter dubbed Astro Boy has now finished four of his past six opponents within a round.
Better, the West Australian has boldly claimed he would currently sit top five in a UFC flyweight division that has champ Brandon Moreno defending against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 270 in January.
Asked about the UFC flyweight division this week, Erceg told us: “It’s shallow.
“Actually, it’s super shallow.
“Right now, you’ve got the two top guys, you’ve got (New Zealander) Kai Kara France and then it really is just one or two others.
“So while I may not be championship material right away, I’d be top five.”
Erceg said the best scenario would be to make his Octagon debut next February at UFC 271, on a card headlined by that hyped rematch between UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.
However, the Aussie said he was also willing to win his way in via Dana White’s Contender Series if necessary.
HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR BREAKOUT STAR
Breakout Australian prospect Jack Della Maddelana will make his UFC debut on the first Pay-Per-View card of 2022, with the rising welterweight slated to face Brazilian Warlley Alves at UFC 270 in California.
While Maddelana has yet to officially sign off on the contract, the young Aussie is said to be excited by the prospect of fighting on the undercard of UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou.
BOXING, UFC SHORTS
— Australian heavyweight Alex Simon is set to fight again in December, some eight months after being robbed of a boxing showdown with Game Of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson. Once Australia’s strongest man, 28-year-old Simon has fully recovered from a torn bicep suffered while sparring against Paul Gallen. The Sydney heavyweight, who has moved between boxing and MMA, was slated to fight ‘The Mountain’ in a boxing showdown but, now healed, is focused on his push to earn a UFC contract in 2022.
— The UFC is set to launch a new gym in Sydney’s CBD early next year, with the venue said to not only be “unmissable”, but the first of a new ‘Signature’ range. The proposed location is on George Street, near Town Hall.
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