Tim Tszyu finishes Michael Zerafa in just two words

Michael Zerafa’s long-term campaign to get in the ring with Tim Tszyu appears to be over as two words appeared to finish him.

Aussie boxing champ Tim Tszyu has seemingly shut down any hope of a Michael Zerafa fight with just two words closing the book on their chapter.

The pair were meant to meet in a highly anticipated clash in Newcastle but the Victorian-based Zerafa pulled out of the fight, claiming inadequate Covid-safe arrangements for he and his team to travel to Newcastle.

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Reports that the weigh-in would be shifted to Melbourne and private jets be used to fly Zerafa in on fight night have been revealed in the time since.

Queensland boxer Stevie Sparks has stepped in to fight Tszyu and took his own shot at Zerafa during a press conference on Monday.

Sparks, who was pouring beers when he agreed to the fight, boasts a 12-1 (11KO) record compared to Tszyu’s unbeaten 18-fight record.

“I do this for the fans and that’s why I did step in on late notice because the fans needed to see a fight,” he said. “If you want it bad enough, you’ll make it happen, that’s referring to myself, to Tim, to No Limit, when you want something bad enough, you’ll make it go ahead. Unlike some other fighters who aren't willing to do that.”

But Tszyu, who’s been on the big stage for some time now, knew exactly what to say when asked about Zerafa.

“Michael who?” he asked. “Haven’t heard of him for a bit now.”

Tim Tszyu isn't mucking around.

It was all Tszyu would say on his former opponent.

However, he did hint that it may be his last fight in Australia, seemingly ending any hope of a Tszyu-Zerafa bout in the future.

Tszyu has his sights set on a world title fight with the winner of the unification bout between WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and The Ring champion Jermell Charlo and WBO champ Brian Castano, who fight on July 17.

Charlo said Tszyu would never fight him but the Aussie is setting up an irresistible resume.

He’s the No. 1 challenger for the WBO title, No. 3 for the IBF and No. 4 for the WBC on the current rankings.

Tszyu has been scathing over Zerafa pulling out of the fight night but interestingly, Aussie boxing legend Jeff Fenech believes Sparks will give Tszyu a tougher fight.

“Tim’s in a real fight now,” Fenech said last week. “I was in the other corner for Spark’s last fight when he beat Jack Brubaker who I train and I have absolutely no doubt he is a tougher fight for Tim Tszyu than what Michael Zerafa would have been.

“He is a very talented kid and he believes in himself, and these are the guys you need to worry about. I’m really excited now – I cannot wait for this fight.”

Sparks said that the praise from Fenech meant a lot but at the end of the day it was just talk.

“You try and block all that stuff out,” Sparks said. “I don’t want to get too caught up in the media and who said what because at the end of the day, I’m the one in there who has to throw the punches and take the punches. We block all that out and keep the job in mind.”

Stevie Sparks is looking for an upset.

As for an upset, Sparks said it was all he was dreaming of.

“It’s everything to me mate, this is huge,” Sparks said. “This is all I’ve ever dreamt about. I’ve had an inkling I’d fight Tim and it’s maybe fate that this has fallen into place. This would set my family financially, this would set myself up in the boxing world. It’s about the legacy I want to leave on the sport, I’m doing this for something to leave behind, for something fans can talk about for years after I’m retired, they can talk about Stephen Sparks and that he never shied away from a fight.”

Despite the warning from Fenech, Tszyu didn’t appear worried at all. He said Sparks is a “good boxer but there are levels and I’m no Brubaker”.

“Look, it’s good to have dreams, it’s good to have belief, it’s good to have vision,” Tszyu said.

“But once we get in the ring, all that disappears. You get into my territory, you get into my zone, you get into my cage, and there’s only thing that happens: the hope, the soul, and everything gets taken away and I’m in control.”