Michael Zerafa REJECTS offer to fight Tim Tszyu in $2.5MILLION mega-fight

Michael Zerafa REJECTS offer to fight arch rival Tim Tszyu in $2.5MILLION mega-fight as Pretty Boy labels middleweight champion a ‘DEAD SALMON’

• Michael Zerafa has reportedly rejected a fight with Tim Tszyu
• The pair have shared a bitter rivalry for years but never fought 
• Daily Mail Australia provides all the latest international sports news 

By Ollie Lewis For Daily Mail Australia

The hostility between Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa is showing no sign of relenting after secret talks for a $2.5million mega-fight broke down this week.

Tszyu’s promoter, Matt Rose of No Limit Boxing, has blasted Zerafa and accused the Melbournian of avoiding his fighter once again after his team rejected the opportunity to fight for the Australian’s world championship next month.

However, Zerafa’s manager insists his fighter did not receive an offer from No Limit Boxing and labelled Tszyu a ‘dead salmon’ when it comes to promotion as his man prepares for his own world title shot later this year.

According to News Corp, American powerhouse promoters Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) made an offer to the Zerafa camp for Pretty Boy to get in the ring with his bitter rival next month.

Tszyu, who beat Tony Harrison last month to win the interim WBO super welterwight title, is looking for a tune up fight ahead of his unification clash with Jermell Charlo later this year.

Michael Zerafa has reportedly rejected an offer to fight arch rival Tim Tszyu

The interim super welterweight champion is looking for a tune up fight next month

However, Zerafa declined the offer from PBC, meaning Aussie boxing fans’ wait for the biggest fight since Anthony Mundine vs Danny Green continues. 

‘I can confirm there was a recent approach again for Zerafa to fight Tim for his next fight before Charlo,’ Rose told News Corp. ‘Unfortunately, the approach was turned down.

‘Tim is looking to stay active and he wants to fight the best available. Zerafa is the mandatory (for the WBA middleweight world crown) and PBC asked me if Zerafa would be interested in a fight against Tszyu.

‘This was a world-title opportunity. Tim has the world title after beating Tony Harrison (last month) and it would have been a massive fight for Australian boxing.

‘It was in the preliminary stage, we were looking at possible opponents and Zerafa was the one guy on the list.

‘Tim wasn’t aware of the offer but would have taken the fight no problems … how much longer can Zerafa keep avoiding Tim?’

However, Elvis Grant – Zerafa’s manager – has dismissed suggestions that Pretty Boy is afraid of Tszyu. 

Zerafa’s team insist that Tszyu is not strong enough to promote their contest

‘They (the Tszyu stable) are constantly looking for ways to have a dig at Mick and try to make him out to be the guy that runs from fights when that couldn’t be further from the truth,’ Grant said from America.

‘I am Mick’s manager and he was never offered this fight by Matt Rose. Matt and I talk and he knows where to reach me. Someone from PBC approached me with an offer that was not even worth mentioning.

‘Zerafa versus Tszyu is the biggest fight in Australia in years and could very easily do 300,000 (pay per view) buys with Zerafa selling the fight.

‘Let’s face it … Zerafa is the one that would sell this fight, he has the talent, looks and charisma plus he’s controversial so this fight would break all records in Australia.

‘The other guy (Tszyu) has the personality of a dead salmon so Zerafa would take this fight on his shoulders without question and sell it into a PPV monster.’ 

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