Tim Tszyu’s priceless reaction to Michael Zerafa comments

Michael Zerafa has made a career out of sledging Tim Tszyu, so his comments on Wednesday night left the former champ floored.

Tim Tszyu was left speechless after Michael Zerafa took a very different approach to his usual smack talk against the former world champion on Wednesday night.

The 32-year-old Zerafa (33-5 record) has been publicly bashing Tim and Nikita Tszyu – at least with his mouth, rather than his gloves – for some time now in an effort to earn a fight against the royal family of Aussie boxing.

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Zerafa outclassed German Besir Ay in their middleweight bout in Sydney on Wednesday night, fighting in the co-main event to Brock Jarvis’ clash with American great Keith Thurman.

Ay (19-2) was way out of his depth, with Zerafa earning a seventh-round stoppage in a one-sided bout that failed to reach any great heights.

It was a second straight win for Zerafa after he suffered a second-round knockout in a WBA middleweight world title defeat to Erislandy Lara in March last year.

Watch full fight highlights in the video player above

The fight failed to reach any great heights. Photo: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

Battling to keep his career on track and earn his desired shot at Tim Tszyu, Zerafa then shocked everyone with his comments about his compatriot.

Coming off his first two career defeats, Tszyu fights undefeated American Joey Spencer in Newcastle on April 6.

“The main question I always get asked is Tim Tszyu and I know he’s here in the building,” Zerafa said in the ring.

“I’ve got nothing against Tim. He’s got a big fight coming up and as an Aussie I’m getting behind him.

“I hope he beats Spencer, I think he does beat Spencer and he’s done nothing to me.

“Obviously when we fight each other, we want to punch each other’s head in.

Tim Tszyu's priceless reaction to Michael Zerafa. Photos: Main Event/No Limit Boxing

“But he’s a great athlete, I believe I’m a great athlete and that’s the biggest fight in Australia and I’m not going to talk smack about Tim.

“He’s got a big fight and god bless Tim and his team, hopefully they get the win.”

Tszyu, who is part of the Main Event commentary team on Wednesday night, was taken aback by the kind remarks.

“He did a smart job (against Ay), did what he needed to do. Didn’t get hit much and outboxed him in every round,” he said.

“I’ve already got a few boys on the list and right now the list just keeps growing and growing.

“I’m just looking at one fight at the moment and that’s Joey Spencer.

“(Zerafa) woke up today and he’s in a different mood.

“I’ve never had compliments (from him) in my life. I’ve just got to take it all in.”

Erislandy Lara (right) was far too strong for Zerafa in their title showdown. Picture: PBC

The 30-year-old then demonstrated his feelings towards journeyman Zerafa when he was asked if he’s out of his league.

“I believe so. I feel I don’t need to prove it, but we’ll see. Time will tell,” he replied.

Zerafa was by far the busier fighter early on Wednesday night, with Ay more interested in holding the Victorian than throwing punches in a scrappy opening round.

The man who calls himself “Pretty Boy” lifted his workrate in the second round, connecting with a few head punches in what appeared to be a significant mismatch.

After copping a beating late in the fifth round, Ay tried to convince all and sundry he was fine by standing on one leg after the bell.

But the writing was on the wall for the German, who was knocked down twice in the seventh round as the referee called the fight off.

“I always play the villain and I know you guys always boo me,” Zerafa said.

“I love it but sometimes I want to focus, so this time I wanted to be patient and we got the job done.

“I think I broke my hand on his head in the second round. I felt it go, but it is what it is.

“We got the win.

“Whether you love me or hate me, I just want to thank you guys. Australian boxing needs this.

“I’m always the good guy, I’ve got the gift of the gab. We don’t get enough respect and love, but this is what the sport needs. This is amazing.”

Commentating for Main Event, former world champion Shawn Porter was far from impressed with what he saw from the veteran Aussie.

Kirra Ruston (right) defeated Tonga Tongotongo with a brutal barrage. Photo: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous

“You need to do something to make me want to watch you again,” he said late in the fight.

“I don’t know if he has that.”

Zerafa earned the TKO right after those comments, leading fellow commentator Ben Damon to state: “Here he goes. You asked for it and Zerafa delivered right on cue.”

But it remains to be seen if any Tszyu will indeed meet Zerafa in the ring down the track.

There were some entertaining fights in the undercard, with Australian middleweight Mateo Tapia earning a fifth-round stoppage in his bout against Russian and former sparring partner Sergei Vorobiev.

Promising Aussie Kirra Ruston also demonstrated his potential with a brutal knockout of Tonga Tongotongo in the sixth round to claim the Australian light-heavyweight title in a match-up of previously unbeaten boxers.

Originally published as Tim Tszyu’s priceless reaction to Michael Zerafa comments