Michael Zerafa (34-5) appears to have come around to the idea of fighting Nikita Tszyu (11-0), all but confirming he’s agreed to face the undefeated southpaw.
Reports had been linking the pair to a fight before the end of the year, although Zerafa had expressed his reservations, instead insisting his target was a long-awaiting scrap with the older Tszyu, Tim.
However, having stopped Mikey Dahlman in a round last month, on the same event Nikita Tszyu knocked out Lulzim Ismaili in the first, Zerafa appears to have warmed to the idea.
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“The rivalry is between me and Tim, but now there’s such a build up with me and Nikita, so at the end of the day, it’s still Zerafa versus a Tszyu,” Zerafa told Fox Sports News.
“It’s a massive fight, it’s a fight that I want. I believe I beat both of them... I’m sitting at number seven in the world, I’m ranked across all four sanctioning bodies, I’m highly ranked and these guys need me to elevate their career at this point in time.
“Tim’s sadly got those three losses that set him back a lot and Nikita’s on the climb so beating me will elevate them back in the rankings.”
Tszyu’s recent victory over Ismaili improved his record to 11-0 with nine KOs, highlighting the power the 27-year-old Sydneysider possesses.
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Zerafa, 33, would be by far his best credentialed opponent and represents a significant step up for “The Butcher.”
“You’ve always got to be careful, he can punch, credit where credit’s due, he’s beaten and knocking out everyone that’s been put in front of him,” Zerafa said.
“I respect all my opponents, I never look past anybody, but when it comes down to fight night, I truly believe I’m levels above.
“When I was fighting for world titles, he was in the amateur ranks, trying to decide if he wants to be professional or not.
“I’ve been around and I’ve fought everybody and I truly believe, when it comes to fight night, I’ll be levels above.”
As for whether contracts have been signed, Zerafa stopped short of confirming the clash.
“I can’t say too much, but all I can say is, I’ve done my part on my end,” he added.
If he can defeat Nikita, the Victorian will be a step closer to the grudge match with Tim, who is coming off a July knockout defeat in his rematch with Sebastian Fundora.
“We’ve got unfinished business,” he said of himself and the former world champion.
“I’ve said from day one that I’ll beat Tim Tszyu and people are starting to see now that he isn’t as good as what he made himself out to be.
“It’s a 50-50 fight, I always think it’s a Zerafa win, 10 fights out of 10 fights.”