Tim Tszyu makes shock admission after Michael Zerafa apology in wake of Nikita Tszyu no contest

Tim Tszyu has shared a level of regret over his role in the backlash towards Michael Zerafa, surprising himself in declaring he feels sorry for the Victorian fighter.

Zerafa apologised on Monday three days after angering the Tszyu family and boxing fans when his bout with Nikita was dramatically stopped before the third round.

The fight was abruptly declared a ‘no decision’ when Zerafa repeatedly told the ringside doctor ‘I can’t see’ following a series of head clashes between the two combatants during the frenetic first two rounds.

Zerafa took “full responsibility” for the fallout and apologised for what he said in interviews after the stoppage.

Now Tim, who confronted his would-be rival Zerafa in the ring and mocked him as a “pussy” and “cowardly”, has issued his own response to the bitter episode.

“I never thought I’d be making this video, especially about someone that I’ve had so much anger towards,” Tszyu said on Monday night.

“I think it was a big build-up, five years in the making. At the time of the event, the emotions were high, the animosity was there and I was angry. I was really, really angry just because of the fact that my brother’s moment got taken away from him.

“I’d say at first I was part of this whole backlash but I think we’ve gone a step too far. I think over the last few days, just watching it from the outside, we have gone too far.

“And at some point, I think it becomes not about boxing any more. We don’t deserve to be torn apart like this as human beings. It’s not the way we’re brought up in the sport. And words, they can push people to really dark places.

“I never thought that this day would ever come but I do feel sorry for Michael. I do feel sorry for him.

“We are fighters but at the same time we’re all human beings. That’s it, that’s all.”

Australian boxing great Jeff Horn replied: “Well done Tim. I hope Zerafa is coping.”

Zerafa previously angered the Tszyu family when he pulled out of a fight with Tim in 2021, with Nikita leaning on that drama for motivation.

Zerafa is now fighting for his career amid the anger from Nikita and his promoters but there is no clarity on a possible rematch.

Officials had told the jeering crowd the fight was stopped because of an “accidental head butt”.

Zerafa was captured on TV saying he couldn’t see out of his left eye before changing his story during a post-fight in-the-ring interview and insisting “it’s blurry, but all good. Let’s go”.

“I don’t know why everyone’s booing me. I didn’t stop it, the doctor stopped it. It’s not my fault,” he said.

Zerafa called for a rematch in TV interviews on the night.

“This is boxing, man. Like, let’s do it again. No disrespect to anybody, I don’t know what everyone’s booing for,” he said.

“I want to apologise to everybody but I don’t know why you are booing. I really don’t understand.

“You guys should be getting behind us athletes, whether you love or hate me. This is the sport, guys.”

He did not touch on his future in the lengthy statement issued on Monday.

“I want to acknowledge that what I said was wrong and apologise,” Zerafa wrote.

“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 helps explain 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 has happened and am accountable for the words / 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 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 that 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 with my eyesight but it does not change the fact that my wording was poor.

“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.

“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 they caused. God Bless.”