BRISBANE, Australia – Nikita Tszyu promised “one of the best domestic bouts” after he and Michael Zerafa weighed in for their 157lbs catchweight contest.
Tszyu, 27, enters the biggest occasion of his 11-fight career against a considerably more experienced opponent who, in addition to recording 39 professional outings, has previously challenged for a version of the world middleweight title.
The 33-year-old Zerafa has often cut a tense figure throughout fight week and looked tense again when they went head to head. For all that he has been competing in the weight division above his opponent, he also didn’t appear to have an advantage in size when he weighed in.
“There’s no more talking,” said Tszyu ahead of the fight on Friday evening at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. “The weight’s off. We’re ready. You’re gonna witness one of the best showdowns and domestic bouts.”
“This is a huge moment,” Zerafa said. “This is what Australia needs – the two best going head to head. As long as we go in healthy, come out healthy, that’s all we can ask for. May the best man win. It’s a long awaited fight. We’re finally here. God bless.”
Full weigh-in results
Ten rounds, 157lbs catchweight
Nikita Tszyu (155.6lbs) vs Michael Zerafa (156.9lbs)
Eight rounds, heavyweight
Demsey McKean (251.1lbs) vs Toese Vousiutu (265.4lbs)
Four rounds, heavyweight
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (293.4lbs) vs Jeremy Latimore (248.5lbs)
Ten rounds, Australian heavyweight title
Stevan Ivic (261.9lbs) vs Liam Talivaa (233.7lbs)
Ten rounds, junior lightweight
Liam Wilson (129.3lbs) vs Rodex Piala (129.0lbs)
Six rounds, super middleweight
Max Reeves (167.0lbs) vs Sonny Abid (165.9lbs)
Six rounds, lightweight
Billy Polkinghorn (134.8lbs) vs Jomar Paliwen (135.7lbs)
Ten rounds, middleweight
Blake Wells (159.2 lbs) vs Ainiwaer Yilixiati (159.0 lbs)
Four rounds, junior middleweight
Jack Javed (153.3lbs) vs Zephy Vaotu’ua (152.4lbs)
