Nikita Tszyu Vs. Michael Zerafa Predictions

January 13, 2026

1 month

Nikita Tszyu Vs. Michael Zerafa Predictions

X: @ausboxing https://x.com/ausboxing/status/1983831808283476228

Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa face off at 154 on January 16 in an Australian clash from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, as fans picked their winner.

This clash settles years of animosity that began when Zerafa famously withdrew from a fight against Nikita’s brother, Tim, in 2021. Nikita remains undefeated and is coming off a first-round stoppage of Lulzim Ismaili in August 2025. Meanwhile, Zerafa has rebounded with three consecutive wins since his world-title loss to Erislandy Lara. Most recently, he secured a first-round knockout over Mikey Dahlman.

Pre-Fight

“I’ve been doing a lot of great sparring. Sparring in the bloody heat. We’re ready for the hardest possible fight. I don’t think that he’s going to bring that intensity that Koen did, but I have to imagine that he’s going to be in my face. Koen pushed me into dark waters and dark territories, and I like to think that I’ve learned and I’ve grown, and become comfortable in that darkness. I felt a lot in this preparation – this training in the heat – the last few rounds when the head’s spinning and you’re overheating and you’ve got no more salt left in your body. Those were the moments I’ve pictured again in that ring with him, and it’s brought me the strength,” Tszyu said

“I feel like this is the best Michael Zerafa you will see. Nikita is hot and cold. Sometimes he’s on; sometimes he’s off, and you never know what Nikita is going to rock up but I think he’s a hungry kid. “My name to him is a world-title fight. I want the best version of Nikita to rock up because when it doesn’t go his way, I don’t want any excuses. I know he’s hungry, I know he wants it and wants to take my head off my shoulders so I’ve got to go out there clear-minded and stick to the game plan,” Zerafa stated