'Not at that level': Michael Zerafa reignites Tim Tszyu rivalry with brutal post-fight swipe
Tim Tszyu's crushing world title loss against Bakhram Murtazaliev has sent the Aussie boxing star back to the drawing board.
And now, after years of back and forth, the 29-year-old may finally have to step into the ring with his fierce rival, Michael Zerafa.
Tszyu was completely outclassed by Murtazaliev on Sunday (AEDT) — dropped four times in less than three rounds before his corner threw in the towel.
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It was a brutal beatdown that few people saw coming — but perhaps the ugliest part of the loss is where it leaves Tszyu's career.
Bakhram Murtazaliev celebrating after defeating Tim Tszyu by TKO. Main Event Boxing
Earlier this year, Tszyu's name was being floated alongside the biggest names in boxing including Terence Crawford, but his bloody loss against Sebastian Fundora put things on hold temporarily as the Sydneysider regrouped.
The clash with Murtazaliev was supposed to be about Tszyu getting gold around his waist and putting himself firmly in the mix for a 2025 super fight.
Instead, it ended in heartache and will diminish Tszyu's credibility in the United States.
Former world champion Shawn Porter believes that he will be left with no choice but to compete on home soil for at least his next fight and Zerafa appears the best option.
"I've been saying this for years, Tim has a bad habit of overlooking his opponents," Zerafa told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Michael Zerafa has opened the door for a fight with Tim Tszyu. No Limit Boxing/Getty
"He goes on about Crawford and [Jermell] Charlo and Canelo [Alvarez] and [Errol] Spence, saying this is a hand-picked opponent and that he will smash him. Murtazaliev has just had his first title defence and has made a mockery of Tim.
"He's sitting there saying he will knock out Crawford and Canelo. I don't think he has any mirrors in his house. If he saw himself in the mirror, he would maybe wake up.
"He's definitely not at that level. I've been saying it for years. I've said it a thousand times, but because of his last name and that winning streak, everyone is against me. All of a sudden my phone hasn't stopped and I've become the A-side.
"I believe there is unfinished business for me. He's human, you take away that last name and you just have an average guy standing in front of you."
Zerafa's brutal swipe could re-light the fuse for a showdown between the pair that has been almost five years in the making.
The pair were slated to fight in 2021, but Zerafa pulled out at the last minute and since then, Tszyu has refused to do business with the "Pretty Boy" of Aussie boxing.
That stance almost has to change now and it would give the country arguably its biggest bout since Danny Green and Anthony Mundine.
