Nikita Tszyu hits back at trolls over brother Tim's fight night ‘no show'
Less than a month after his stoppage defeat to Sebastian Fundora, Tim has travelled to Japan and is spending some time away from boxing exploring Tokyo.
Nikita revealed to Code Sports last week that Tim won't be at his PPV showdown with Lulzim Ismaili at the ICC Theatre on Wednesday night.
The admission sparked fierce debate as Nikita has been a regular at Tim's fights for several years.
There were even suggestions from some that Tim had 'dogged' Nikita ahead of his comeback against Lulzim Ismaili.
Nikita was in Tim's corner in Orlando last year, and threw the towel in to save him from taking any more damage.
He was also ringside at the MGM Grand last month for the Fundora rematch, but is happy for Tim to be taking a step back.
'For the whole first bunch of Tim's fights I wasn't there either,' Nikita said. 'When I was studying at Uni, I didn't know how to balance things out.
'I was always swamped with work and I put myself first. So, I wasn't there for a lot of Tim's fights.
'Boxing is a cruel sport, and he needs the time off right now, he needs the rest and I'm happy for him.'
Tim isn't the only brother who won't be ringside on Wednesday night, with Michael Zerafa's brother, Jason, remaining in Melbourne.
Jason stormed the ring and punched veteran trainer Tommy Mercuri in the mouth a year ago as Michael's fight with Tommy Browne descended into chaos.
'That was all dealt with. It should've never happened,' Zerafa, who fights American Mikey Dahlman on Wednesday, told Code Sports. 'It's all in the past, ubt I just keep him at home. It's safer.
'There's no official ban, but it's just safer.'
Asked about Tim's absence, Zerafa said: 'I just assumed he would be here. I didn't know that.'
Tension between Nikita and Zerafa reached fever pitch last week when 'The Butcher' threatened to end the Melbourne-boxer's career if they ever fought.
Despite threats from promoter No Limit that Sydney boxer Brock Jarvis could leapfrog him and get a big-money fight with Nikita, Zerafa only has eyes for Tim.
'Respectfully, No Limit needs to get their act together,' he said. 'It's me against Nikita, it's Brock against Nikita, then back to me.
'I'm not doing what the Tszyus do and looking past my opponent.
'The rivalry is between me and Tim, that's the one they should be going with. I've got no beef with Nikita.
'To be honest, they're behind me. Tim's out of the top 15 and Nikita's not even in the top 20.
'I'm ranked in all the sanctioning bodies in the world. They're making it out like I need them. I'm an opportunity for Tim to bounce back and for Nikita to make a name for himself.
'Realistically they need me, I don't need them.
'Put a big number at the front and a lot of zeroes, then we'll have a chat, or put a world title on the line, but what does Nikita do for my career?
'Same with Tim, despite giving Aussie fans a good fight and a big payday, what does it do for my career?'
For his part, Nikita is happy to fight Zerafa next, but would also welcome a showdown with one-time sparring partner Brock Jarvis too.
'I'm happy to fight with Brock. He's got a very sellable face,' he said. 'He's the pretty boy.
'Although he was unsuccessful with Keith Thurman, he's still a dangerous opponent.
'He comes to win, fights hard, he's muscular and strong so he's always going to be dangerous.
'He's got a pretty face, and a punchable face.'
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News. An ice cold Nikita Tszyu has hit back at trolls criticising older brother Tim for not being ringside at his long-awaited comeback fight on Wednesday night. Less than a month after his stoppage defeat to Sebastian Fundora, Tim has travelled to Japan and is spending some time away from boxing exploring Tokyo. Nikita revealed to Code Sports last week that Tim won't be at his PPV showdown with Lulzim Ismaili at the ICC Theatre on Wednesday night. The admission sparked fierce debate as Nikita has been a regular at Tim's fights for several years. There were even suggestions from some that Tim had 'dogged' Nikita ahead of his comeback against Lulzim Ismaili. Nikita was in Tim's corner in Orlando last year, and threw the towel in to save him from taking any more damage. Tszyu takes on Lulzim Ismaili in his first fight in a year. Picture: No Limit Boxing He was also ringside at the MGM Grand last month for the Fundora rematch, but is happy for Tim to be taking a step back. 'For the whole first bunch of Tim's fights I wasn't there either,' Nikita said. 'When I was studying at Uni, I didn't know how to balance things out. 'I was always swamped with work and I put myself first. So, I wasn't there for a lot of Tim's fights. 'Boxing is a cruel sport, and he needs the time off right now, he needs the rest and I'm happy for him.' Tim isn't the only brother who won't be ringside on Wednesday night, with Michael Zerafa's brother, Jason, remaining in Melbourne. Jason stormed the ring and punched veteran trainer Tommy Mercuri in the mouth a year ago as Michael's fight with Tommy Browne descended into chaos. 'That was all dealt with. It should've never happened,' Zerafa, who fights American Mikey Dahlman on Wednesday, told Code Sports. 'It's all in the past, ubt I just keep him at home. It's safer. Michael Zerafa (R) fights Mikey Dahlman. Pictures: No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous 'There's no official ban, but it's just safer.' Asked about Tim's absence, Zerafa said: 'I just assumed he would be here. I didn't know that.' Tension between Nikita and Zerafa reached fever pitch last week when 'The Butcher' threatened to end the Melbourne-boxer's career if they ever fought. Despite threats from promoter No Limit that Sydney boxer Brock Jarvis could leapfrog him and get a big-money fight with Nikita, Zerafa only has eyes for Tim. 'Respectfully, No Limit needs to get their act together,' he said. 'It's me against Nikita, it's Brock against Nikita, then back to me. 'I'm not doing what the Tszyus do and looking past my opponent. 'The rivalry is between me and Tim, that's the one they should be going with. I've got no beef with Nikita. 'To be honest, they're behind me. Tim's out of the top 15 and Nikita's not even in the top 20. 'I'm ranked in all the sanctioning bodies in the world. They're making it out like I need them. I'm an opportunity for Tim to bounce back and for Nikita to make a name for himself. 'Realistically they need me, I don't need them. Zerafa talks to ring announcer Steve Peios on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw 'Put a big number at the front and a lot of zeroes, then we'll have a chat, or put a world title on the line, but what does Nikita do for my career? 'Same with Tim, despite giving Aussie fans a good fight and a big payday, what does it do for my career?' For his part, Nikita is happy to fight Zerafa next, but would also welcome a showdown with one-time sparring partner Brock Jarvis too. 'I'm happy to fight with Brock. He's got a very sellable face,' he said. 'He's the pretty boy. 'Although he was unsuccessful with Keith Thurman, he's still a dangerous opponent. 'He comes to win, fights hard, he's muscular and strong so he's always going to be dangerous. 'He's got a pretty face, and a punchable face.' Originally published as Nikita Tszyu hits back at trolls over brother Tim's fight night 'no show'
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