It’s been a wild past few years in Michael Zerafa’s pursuit of a domestic blockbuster showdown against Tim Tszyu.

The next few days will add a new chapter or two to that story. 

As previously reported by BoxingScene, Melbourne’s Zerafa, 33-5 (21 KOs) is prepared to face Tszyu, (24-2, 17 KOs), on minimal notice should Joey Spencer withdraw from the fight. There is growing concern over the latter scenario playing out. 

“I think because of the buildup we’ve had and the animosity between me and him, it feels like he’d be very reluctant to take this fight,” Zerafa told BoxingScene during a Zoom interview with select media members. “However, I feel like he’s on the back foot now if Spencer doesn’t take this fight because of the judges. 

“I feel like he’s left with no other alternative but to fight me. I’m being very vocal here in saying I’m here, I’m ready.”

Michigan’s Spencer, 19-1 (11 KOs) and his team are infuriated over the lack of neutral officials assigned to their scheduled ten-round junior middleweight bout atop an Amazon Prime card this Saturday evening (U.S. time) from Newcastle (Australia) Entertainment Centre. 

According to Jason Spencer, Joey’s father and trainer, their side was promised at least two international judges and a maximum of just one judge from Australia. It was revealed at the start of fight week that all three officials for the non-title fight will be from Tszyu’s home country. 

As far as event promoters No Limit Boxing are concerned, the show will move forward. The hope is to resolve the matter and keep the current main event intact. However, a contingency plan is available.  

“[Spencer’s team is] not too pleased with, as it stands, the three judges are most likely gonna be from this side of the world which they believe they didn’t agree to,” No Limit’s Tim Ashworth told BoxingScene and other reporters during an intimate Zoom call with Zerafa. “Michael is putting his hand up if they do wish to not continue, if they wish it’s not a fair fight. 

“Michael for the second time in a month has put his hand up to step into the main event. This one, everyone knows holds a little more weight.” 

Zerafa told BoxingScene and other reporters that he learned of the development on Monday while finishing up a training session. 

“I said straightaway to Selin, my partner, to send a message with [No Limit’s] Matt Rose that I’m more than happy to step in on five days’ notice,” Zerafa revealed. “This is the second time that I’ve made it clear that I’m more than happy to step in.”

Zerafa is coming off a seventh-round knockout of Germany’s Besir Ay, 19-1 (9 KOs) at the time of their March 12 middleweight clash at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. The show was headlined by the return of former unified welterweight titlist Keith Thurman, 31-1 (23 KOs), who ended a three-year absence with a third-round knockout of Brock Jarvis. 

The chance to face Tszyu this weekend remains a longshot, and even more so down the road if he doesn’t get it. Thurman’s placement on the Sydney show was to drum up interest in resurrecting a Tszyu fight. It was scheduled for last March 31 but Thurman withdrew due to injury. 

Given the current development, there is a now-or-never element considered by Zerafa in landing the all-Aussie fight he lost out on when scheduled four years ago.

Tszyu and Zerafa were due to meet in July 2021, though at a time when Covid restrictions were still in place due to the Delta variant. Zerafa’s team cited such concerns and a hesitance to make the trip to Newcastle from Melbourne. 

The fight was eventually scrapped, and Tszyu went on to face junior welterweight Steve Spark whom he stopped inside of three rounds. 

By his own admission, Zerafa was hamstrung by a bad management team at the time. That matter was long rectified, as he is in full control of his own career along with longtime partner Selin Ozturk. 

The question is whether Tszyu is willing to accept a renewed showdown with Zerafa if it comes to that. 

This weekend marks his first fight back home since 2023, with his lone two career defeats wedged in between as part of a disastrous 2024 campaign. Ironically, Monday marked the one-year anniversary of Tszyu’s split decision loss to Sebastian Fundora. That fight came about when Fundora, 22-1-1 (14 KOs) replaced an injured Thurman on less than two weeks’ notice. 

For now, Zerafa – who’s won two straight since a knockout loss to WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara last March 31 – is forced to play the waiting game. That actually works in his favor, as he is ready to fight. 

“Everyone who knows me, even Tim’s team, knows I’m always ready. I’m still sparring twice a week. The night of my fight, I woke up four, five hours later and was in the gym at 4.30 in the morning. I haven’t had a day off since my fight. I’m sparring twice a week. 

“My weight’s at 73 kilos right now. I’d only have to lose about 500 grams if it’s at middleweight. Worst-case scenario, if I have to make 69 (kilograms) I can.”

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.