By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
WBA #9 middleweight Michael Zerafa’s promoter Brian Amatruda has offered WBO #1, IBF #3 light middleweight Tim Tszyu $1 million (AUD) or $760,000v(USD) to meet in a twelve round contest in Melbourne.
“I’m sick and tired of seeing Tim make excuses and avoid what is Australia’s biggest fight — Tim Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa,” Amatruda said in a statement to Fox Sports. “Tim is a quality fighter but he just fought a 36-year-old fighter who was coming off a brutal knockout and his second loss in a row. Hogan also had a major injury coming into the fight and at one stage was going to withdraw.
“No discredit to Tim, but he has never fought the likes of Michael Zerafa who is in his prime and fought the best in the world. Not like Tim’s opponents who were just Australians, who whilst quite handy fighters will never be world champions.
“Tim’s talk of a world title is fanciful as the titles are all scheduled elsewhere so why not fight the very best in Australia? If Tim thinks he is on a different level then let’s get the fight on and he can have an easy payday!
“Tim’s promoter offered Michael $70,000 to fight Tim. We thought about offering Tim ten times that amount, then thought let’s round it off at 1 million dollars which is probably more than Tim’s whole career earnings…the offer is open for 7 days otherwise Michael will look to go overseas where offers have been made for much bigger fights.”
Zerafa should wait to see if Tim Wins a World Title then Challenge him, his take will be around 5 Million, Zerafa just needs to keep winning and hope Tim wins a Belt, Now that would be Australia’s biggest fight,
Respect. Armatruda does so much for boxing in Australia. The man needs to be recognised for it.
Why would you knock that back if you’re Tszyu. Zerafa ain’t a threat to him, in my view.
Zerafa is no threat, Tszyu would be criticised internationally for taking such 1 sided fight instead of stepping up again
Zerafa in 2!
This would be massive and everyone in Australia wants to see it. Hogan is the only true light middle weight Tszyu has faced to date and he was injured going into the fight and had a 14 month lay off and 2 losses in a row all by KTFO.
Get this fight done please!!!
A controversial decision loss is not KTFO
Easy pay day for Tim and he can finally say he is not avoiding him. Zerafa would give Tszyu his toughest fight to date. After this move onto America but make it happen i would pay to see this.
Please please make this predictable fight happen. I can’t wait to see what I already know. A Tszyu victory.
Zerafa is searching a nice payday, I don’t blame him, but the reality is that Tszyu is in another level, way above. Tszyu by masacre in 4
Zerafa deserves a payday after Jeff Horn robbed him of a payday by enforcing a rematch rather than let home fight (get mauled by) Murata.
Zerafa probably should not have fought Mundine – did him no favours beating up a washed up old man bordering on a journeyman.
Tszyu’s gotta fight this guy now. Zerafa obviously sees openings and mistakes on the part of Tszyu that makes Zerafa believe he can win. Make the fight happen and quit running Tszyu!
I million is a lot!
And who did Zarafa fight last?Mate your statement is so funny !
Will be a good fight. Prob a risk Tim doesn’t need to take. Will be a PPV hit. Ignore the total farce v a totally shot and utterly washed up aged Anthony Mundine. His war V Horn was the most entertaining domestic fight in decades here in Aust, (I still rate Horn V PAC as the best international battle I’ve seen here). A great fight for the fans.
lol ridiculous.. easy win for Tszyu. i mean come on,
Michael Zerafa lost to the Very mediocre Horn.
He was robbed against Horn. Had him wobbled, corner about to throw towel in before ref steps in and gives him a big breather. Ref obviously had some coin on Horn as that decision stunk baaaaaad.
Agree Ref saved Horns ass buy letting him take a minute to look at the cut when he was wobbled and about to drop.
Give Zerafa his shot at Tszyu! Stop running from him.
Zerafa a club fighter at best
Not Tszyu responsibility to repay Zerafa for his Horn loss