Michael Zerafa insists his best days are ahead of him and is open to a clash with Tim Tszyu next while rejecting the notion of fighting the former WBO champion’s younger brother, Nikita.
In the aftermath of his KO defeat to defending champion Erislandy Lara at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena last month, Zerafa confirmed he won’t retire from the squared circle and still has hopes to find his way to another shot at a world title, despite the demoralising loss which leaves his record at 31-5.
While the fighter’s critics called for him to hang up the gloves, Zerafa, 32, is adamant he can still compete at the highest level, and could potentially move down in weight in his pursuit for a championship belt.
READ MORE: Snubbed veteran answers SOS amid Broncos crisis
READ MORE: ‘You talk to Trell’: Wighton fires up after grilling
READ MORE: Grim Munster comment to put Slater on edge
“People can think what they want, I fought the best in the world and I fell short,” he told Wide World of Sports. “I got caught, and that’s just how it is. Talk that I’m past my best is silly.
“I was inactive for a while there. I would have loved to have been more active and had more fights under my belt in those 15 months, but that’s the way boxing works.
“It sucked, there was a bit of ring rust there but full credit to Lara he was out of the ring for the same amount of time. I don’t blame anything, I just got caught. It was my first loss in five years.”
While his stock may have taken a hit, Zerafa remains in the top 10 for the WBA and also has another fight left on his contract with influential American promoters Premier Boxing Champions, having signed a two-fight deal.
The title challenger is steadfast in his belief that his next bout will be with a world rated fighter and he won’t be entertaining a step back into the domestic scene, with reports that Nikita Tszyu could be next on the list.
Tim Tszyu vs Sebastian Fundora and undercard fights in pictures: Fundora praises ‘world-class’ Tszyu after ‘history-making’ bout
“I’ve got nothing but respect for the Tszyu boys after Vegas, they showed me respect and I showed them respect,” he said.
“But I feel like we’re on different paths. I’m sure Nikita will get there but I’m already there. He’s doing great things but I just fought for a world title and he’s still building up.
“But me and Tim are both in the losing circle. I feel like me and Tim have only got each other left in Australia. It’s a great fight and people want to see it.
“But I’m just waiting on my team to get me a list of opponents and if Tim Tszyu’s name is on there and it’s a fight that makes sense, I’m sure we’ll both take it.
“Me and Tim have had our differences. I spoke to his team and I had a little word with him. We didn’t say too much to each other but I let everyone know that we were representing Australia and fighting for world titles. We shook hands and we wished each other the best.
“We have that mutual respect, we both tasted defeat. He performed better than I did, I ended up getting caught. But I’m ready to bounce back. That’s what boxing is.”
Zerafa said he’s open to moving down in weight to 154 lbs, Tszyu’s weight, and would have genuine interest in a world title eliminator for a chance at Tszyu’s former title.
Following Tszyu’s shock loss to Sebastian Fundora, the former champ will need to carve out a path to regain his title again, and a bout with Zerafa would tick some boxes, although, Fundora’s camp has said that Tszyu would be their first opponent when the new champ’s medically fit to fight again in December.
Fundora’s promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, released a statement declaring a rematch with Tszyu was a priority ahead of a fight against either pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford or fellow American star Errol Spence.
“We were all so eager to make this fight that many of our agreements were made verbally. There wasn’t enough time,” Lewkowicz said.
“But I wish to make it clear that Team Fundora will honour the agreement. My word is always equal to a signed contract.
“Tim Tszyu, your rematch is ready when you are.”