Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa faced the media in Brisbane today ahead of their bout on Friday night, with Tszyu describing the contest as a significant test in his career and Zerafa stating there is no pressure on him as he focuses on the next step toward a world title opportunity.
The press conference also featured several key bouts from the undercard, with former NRL enforcers Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jeremy Latimore addressing their crossover matchup, longtime world-rated heavyweight Demsey McKean outlining his confidence following training camp, Toese Vosiutu speaking on fighting alongside teammates on a major card, and two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson discussing his return to Brisbane and his ambitions beyond Friday night.
Nikita Tszyu said:
“This fight he hasn’t been showing so much animosity. He had a lot of animosity with my brother. But in this time round, it’s been very neutral, very respectful. It’s a different side of Michael that we haven’t seen before. It’s a big moment. This is a very big test in my career. It’s a test that a lot of people probably would say that I shouldn’t be taking. It’s too risky at this point. There’s a lot of questions that come with this fight. Will Michael’s experience be just too much for me? Or can my youth kind of be the thing that propels me forward? I have confidence in myself. My team has confidence in me. These kinds of moments where you’re expected to lose… being able to break the narrative of his experience will be too much for me and for me to overcome that will be a monumental moment in my career. I don’t know, give him a call. I mean if he wants to come, he wants to come.”
Michael Zerafa said:
“There is no pressure on me. I’ve been there, and I’ve done it. I’ve fought all around the world and fought for world titles and basically won all the titles. My next one is the world title. So, after Nikita, hopefully the promoters can keep their promise and get me that world title. But I’m not looking past that. I’m looking fully focused on what’s ahead on Friday night.”
Nelson Asofa-Solomona:
“I’m just done talking to be honest. I’ve been part of a team environment, now I’m in the forefront but I’m still getting used to this media stuff. I’m here to do a job and ready to take this guy’s head off. He’s saying all this stuff, I don’t even think he believes it. Whatever way he wants it, if he wants to box or get taken out in the first round we can cater to that. I want the highlight reel finish.”
Jeremy Latimore:
“There’s no expectation on me, I’m just the old battling bench prop. Big Nelly, he brings a lot of noise. He’s a big guy and created headlines in rugby league, and using a footy analogy, I’ll kick long and keep turning him around and grind out the win. When the opportunity came up I couldn’t take it quick enough. It’s a big ask for him. Two minute rounds was his previous fight and he did look tired in that. And he was doing most of the punching. I’m planning on levelling that up and doing plenty of punching with the big fella. That last minute of the first round — three minute rounds — they are hard. The legs do get heavy. There’s been a lot of pressure being brought onto the big boy this week. I’m sure he will feel that come Friday night. I don’t know. Depends on how many people Nelson has head-high’ed. There’ll be a few NRL boys there that want me to win. Nelson is popular as well. I’ve got a lot of boys coming that I’ve played NRL with as I’m sure Nelly does.”
Demsey McKean said:
“It’s a cliché to say it, but this has definitely been the best camp of my life. My sparring has been on point, my body’s feeling good, and I’m in a really good place mentally, physically, and spiritually. I’m excited. In this fight, I’ll do what I have to do to win. I can see myself getting the knockout. Dtaying long, picking my shots, using my angles, and doing what I do. I won’t go looking for it, but the knockout will come. It’s going to be an outstanding heavyweight fight.”
Toese Vosiutu said:
“All praise be to God. I’m truly blessed to be here. It’s a great card, and I’m fighting alongside my Polynesian brothers and my teammates. My boys are here, so I’m excited. There’s no games with me — no tactics. What you see is what you get. I came in late because I had to pick up my family, but that’s just how it goes. As for my opponent, we’ve already spoken. We had a one-on-one conversation, and that’s all that matters. He got my vibe, I got his vibe, and it’s all good. On fight night, I come out victorious.”
Liam Wilson said:
“I feel like I’m back in my groove. We’re back in Brisbane, and this is where I feel I’ve performed at my best. On Friday night, we’ll put on another showstopper, get the job done, and then move on to bigger and better things. I’ve got a tough opponent from the Philippines. Since the Pacquiao days, I feel like that nation has always produced dangerous fighters, and now he’s up against an Australian, so it’s going to be a real clash on Friday night. If I get a good win here, I move on to potentially a rematch with Navarrete. I want the big opportunities — Navarrete, world titles, whoever and wherever.”
FULL FIGHT CARD
Nikita Tszyu (11-0, 9 KOs) vs Michael Zerafa (34-5, 22 KOs), 10 rounds, Middleweight – WBO International Middleweight Title
Demsey McKean (23-2, 15 KOs) vs Toese Vousiutu (8-2, 7 KOs), 8 rounds, Heavyweight
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Professional Debut) vs Jeremy Latimore (1-0, 0 KOs), 4 rounds, HeavyweightStevan Ivic (7-0-1, 2 KOs) vs Liam Talivaa (7-1, 3 KOs), 10 rounds, Heavyweight – Australian Heavyweight Title
Liam Wilson (17-3, 9 KOs) vs Rodex Piala (12-1, 1 KO), 10 rounds, Super Featherweight – WBO International Super Featherweight Title
Rahim Mundine (2-0, 1 KO) vs Geoffrey Matthews (0-1, 0 KOs), 4 rounds, Middleweight * Mundine withdrawn due to calf injury on Tuesday 13th.
Max Reeves (11-1-1, 8 KOs) vs Sonny Abid (9-2, 4 KOs), 6 rounds, Super Middleweight
Billy Polkinghorn (4-0, 2 KOs) vs Jomar Paliwen (7-1-2, 5 KOs), 6 rounds, Lightweight
Blake Wells (12-2, 5 KOs) vs Ainiwaer Yilixiati (20-2, 14 KOs), 10 rounds, Middleweight – IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight Title
Jack Javed (Professional Debut) vs Zephy Vaotu’ua (Professional Debut), 4 rounds, Super Welterweight
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
