Tszyu vs Zerafa Predictions: Nikita handles long-standing family business

Unbeaten second-generation star Nikita Tszyu takes on 34-5 firebrand Michael Zerafa this Friday, January 16. The all-Aussie showdown headlines at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall on a card featuring heavyweight fringe contender Demsey McKean and Queensland’s former world title challenger Liam Wilson. Kayo Sports carry the event Down Under, while the UK and US wait for news on a broadcast partner.

Read on for my Tszyu vs Zerafa predictions ahead of this 10-round grudge match.

Tszyu vs Zerafa Odds

Tszyu is the marginal favourite at 4/5, while the controversial Zerafa is priced at 11/10. The draw is marketed at 16/1 - always worth a look in a closely-matched bout like this.

Tszyu vs Zerafa Fight Preview

It has been a long wait for Zerafa to fight a member of the legendary Tszyu family. The 33-year-old drew nationwide scorn for withdrawing from a 2021 clash with Nikita’s brother Tim, the former 154lb champion. 

The vicious rumour at the time, according to Zerafa’s ex-trainer Sam Labruna, is that Michael had asked to be deliberately cut in training so he could pull out of the clash with the elder Tszyu. Zerafa has vehemently denied the claims, though unsurprisingly Tim’s brother Nikita has raised them in the build-up to this clash.

Zerafa cited travel issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for his withdrawal. But ‘Pretty Boy’ has had to carry the stench of allegations that he simply didn’t want to fight Tim Tszyu. Now he seeks to exorcise the demon by facing another member of the legendary clan.

While Tim is a former WBO super welterweight champion, the reason Australia cannot get enough of the Tszyus is primarily due to their father. The patriarch of the family is considered perhaps the greatest Australian fighter of them all.

Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu is a two-time super lightweight world champion who beat a litany of big names. Quality men like Zab Judah, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sharmba Mitchell and Jesse James Leija. British fans will know him best for that electric night in Manchester, where Ricky Hatton defeated him in 11 scintillating rounds for the IBF, The Ring and lineal 140lb title.

It is that weighty legacy that Tszyu’s sons have been charged with carrying. Tim did so admirably for a period, though three defeats in his last five fights suggests his prime is over and done. But Nikita is just 27 and taking part in his 12th fight here. The next stage of the Tszyu dynasty is in progress.

Zerafa is the best fighter Tszyu has faced so far, that much is clear. He is a former world title challenger, though his second-round knockout loss to WBA middleweight kingpin Erislandy Lara is an experience he would rather forget. Of his five losses, four came against former or reigning world champions. 

Zerafa contested two savage scraps with former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn, a fellow Aussie who holds a controversial win over Manny Pacquiao. Zerafa won their first meeting via ninth-round TKO, before surviving two knockdowns in that very same round in a rematch he lost by majority decision. 

The veteran is 3-0 since the Lara defeat and looked good knocking out Mikey Dahlman in one round last time out. Zerafa is aiming to rail against the apparent theme that this fight is a passing of the torch in Australian boxing. 

Tszyu feels like this is a torch-passing and why wouldn’t he? For a start, Zerafa has talked openly about retirement and his plans for after boxing. His opponent has gone on record as saying this proves Zerafa’s head isn’t in the game.

Tszyu is not the sort of opponent you want to face if you aren’t at your best. While he is yet to mix in this class, the 27-year-old is 11-0 with nine knockouts. He fights like an inversion of his father, boxing out of a southpaw stance but with the same jab-first approach followed by straights and hooks thrown with vicious intent.

Tszyu’s style is fairly open and he can be caught. Dylan Biggs landed some vicious uppercuts in a stirring 2023 clash. But Tszyu has overwhelmed his opponents so far, displaying relentless activity and no shortage of punch power.

Some think Zerafa doesn’t fancy this task. That it is the last money fight before he rides off into the sunset. I would counter that you do not get where he has in this game with that sort of approach. But the 33-year-old is certainly taking a huge risk against a rising star of Australian boxing. 

Tszyu vs Zerafa Full Card

Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa

Liam Wilson vs Rodex Piala

Blake Wells vs Ainiwaer Yilixiati

Stevan Ivic vs Liam Talivaa

Demsey McKean vs Toese Vousiutu

Max Reeves vs Sonny Abid

Billy Polkinghorn vs Jomar Paliwen

Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs Jeremy Latimore

Jack Javed vs Zephy Vaotu'ua

Tszyu vs Zerafa Predictions

I think this will be ferocious while it lasts, but I don’t think it lasts overly long. I reckon both men will throw bombs and most will connect. But when push comes to shove, and punch comes to punch, I think Tszyu outlasts his man. I reckon Nikita KOs Zerafa at 21/10.

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