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Tszyu vs Zerafa Grudge Fight Ends in Controversial No Contest After Head Clash

Posted : 16 January 2026

The long-simmering rivalry between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa came to an abrupt and controversial end on Friday night, as their much-hyped 10-round showdown was ruled a no contest just six minutes into the fight. Fans packed into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre were left furious, booing loudly and throwing cans toward the ring as disappointment replaced anticipation.

The bout had shown early promise, with both fighters trading aggressively in the opening exchanges and refusing to give ground. However, during a clinch in the second round, an accidental clash of heads opened a deep cut above Zerafa’s left eye. Although the contest appeared to be gathering momentum, the injury quickly changed its course.

At the start of the third round, Zerafa returned to his corner and complained of blurred vision, prompting medical attention. On the advice of the ringside doctor, referee Chris Condon stopped the fight, citing regulations that require a bout to be halted if a boxer’s vision is compromised. The decision immediately sparked controversy, with many fans and observers branding the ending an anticlimax.

Zerafa defended his actions afterward, insisting the stoppage was beyond his control and reiterating his willingness to fight Tszyu again. Tszyu, however, was less enthusiastic, questioning the severity of the injury and expressing frustration over the premature ending. He suggested his opponent had underestimated him and implied the rivalry may now remain unresolved.

The no contest added another tense chapter to the ongoing feud between the Zerafa camp and the Tszyu family, which dates back several years. Tim Tszyu was particularly critical, accusing Zerafa of lacking resilience and arguing that he does not deserve another opportunity to face Nikita.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the main event, the undercard delivered memorable moments. Former NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona made a stunning professional boxing debut, scoring a brutal first-round knockout of Jeremy Latimore.

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