'My choice of words was poor': Michael Zerafa offers apology after 'dodgy' act against Nikita Tszyu

Michael Zerafa has apologised and found an unlikely ally as the controversial Australian boxer fights to save his career following a no contest against Nikita Tszyu.

In one of the most controversial moments in Aussie boxing history, Zerafa's long-awaited fight with Tszyu was called off after two rounds on Friday night.

After suffering a cut on his eyelid, Zerafa told the ringside doctor that he couldn't see, forcing a premature end to the bout and a visceral reaction from the Brisbane crowd.

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Tszyu and many others claimed that Zerafa "quit" and there have been suggestions that promoters No Limit could sever ties with the brash 33-year-old.

However, in an interview with SEN Radio on Monday morning, former world champion and one of Zerafa's biggest rivals Jeff Horn delivered a balanced stance.

"Look, that's a big word to be throwing out there," Horn said.

"I feel like he might be going through something in his career that I probably felt like I went through in the Tim Tszyu fight, where you don't really want to be in there.

"We don't know how bad his eye was or what it felt like - it's hard to condemn the guy completely just from that. The only reason why everyone is saying what they're saying is because it didn't look that bad. It was hard to find the shot or the head clash or where it happened and at the time, it didn't look like Michael was in that bad of trouble."

Horn conceded the promoters could look to make money on a potential rematch, depending on the damage Zerafa suffered as a result of the second-round head clash.

Horn's comments defending Zerafa - at least to an extent - would come as a surprise after the pair engaged in a heated feud in 2019, scoring one win each.

But what Horn didn't agree with was the way Zerafa backtracked on his initial remarks.

"That is the dodgiest thing," he said.

"That's the stuff that really doesn't completely add up. He said he couldn't see a couple of times to the doctor, but then he got asked about it after and said 'yeah, I could see, I just said it was a little blurry'.

"When he starts saying things like that and backpedalling, that's when everyone starts scratching their heads." 

Zerafa has now taken to social media to apologise for his choice of words and delved into the medical examinations he has undergone since the bout.

"I want to acknowledge that what I said was wrong," he said via Instagram.

"My choice of words in that moment was poor and does not reflect my values or the person I strive to be. I was speaking immediately after the fight, with adrenaline high and emotions still raw. While that context explains how it happened, it does not excuse it.

"I take full responsibility and apologise for what I said. I want to be clear that I accept what happened and am accountable for the words I used and the impact they caused.

"At the same time, I want to speak honestly as a human being, not just as an athlete.

"In the post fight interview my eyesight was blurry. I said that I couldn't see and in that moment I genuinely believed I was describing blurred vision. That is how I recall the exchange at the time. The issue was never about the cut itself, it was about my vision but I recognise the way I expressed that concern was not handled well.

"Following the fight, medical observations recorded my vision as 6/20. That confirmed there was an issue ... but it does not change the fact that my wording was poor.

He then went on to speak about the impact of negative criticism from the Aussie boxing community has had on him, but again decided to "accept responsibility" for the incident.

"The judgement, misinformation and ongoing treatment I've experienced within parts of the boxing community from people, coaches and promoters has taken a toll over time ... I've rarely been given the space to simply be myself," Zerafa said.

"That doesn't excuse my mistake, but it does help explain the emotional weight behind it.

"I'm an athlete, but I'm also human. I make mistakes.

"My team and I considered going into greater detail, but ultimately felt that accountability matters more than explanation. What's important is owning my mistake and committing to doing better moving forward.

"I apologise for my poor choice of words and accept responsibility for the impact."