Michael Zerafa has sent a clear warning to Nikita Tszyu over what he is capable of achieving after claiming a savage TKO victory against Mikey Dahlman.
But Tszyu wasted no time sending the same message back to his potential rival.
Zerafa and Tszyu needed just one round to claim victories over their respective opponents, with both wasting no time setting their sights on their next battles.
READ MORE: Smith drops ‘whisper’ as Tino linked with surprise suitor
READ MORE: Fowler’s sign of hope as Matildas sweat on Asian Cup return
READ MORE: ‘Worlds apart’: How fortunes flipped for divisive 350-gamers
It was widely expected that both fighters if they were to win would call on the other to face off in the ring, but neither made a bold verbal jab towards the other.
Zerafa was the first to admit he is ready to take on Tszyu, however he feared the 27-year-old still had some work to do to get to the same level as him in the ring.
Michael Zerafa vs Mikey Dahlman No Limit Boxing/Gregg Porteous
“I like Nikita, he’s a good kid and I wish him all the best,” he said to boos from the raucous Sydney crowd, who are no fans of the Melbourne-based fighter.
“When we fight each other, it’s a different story … when it’s time to fight, then the hostility can start.
“I believe I beat him. Nikita is doing great things and is proving he is at that level with me, but I think there’s still a little bit more to go.”
Zerafa was barely back to his dressing room by the time Tszyu’s remarkable victory over Ismaili had been cemented.
After 12 months away from the ring, Tszyu said he is ready for whatever challenge is thrown at him next by No Limit – whether it be Zerafa or even Brock Jarvis.
“Line them up. I don’t care, I’ll take whoever,” he said when asked who was next.
“I’m confident. See you at the next show.”
The 27-year-old followed his comments outside the ring and admitted he is ready to challenge a fighter like Zerafa who is “better” than him.
“It is a very dangerous fight,” he continued.
“There are a lot of question marks with me and my experience … but you’ve got to test yourself. There is no way to improve without beating someone that is better than you.”
Nikita Tszyu responds to Michael Zerafa’s victory No Limit/Main Event
Zerafa needed just under two minutes to finish off the job against the American, immediately taking control and jumping into attack from the get go.
Dahlman had yet to land a punch in the first 20 seconds of the bout as Zerafa continued to launch a series of jabs to the body of his American opponent.
It was then the Australian star landed a brutal hit that troubled Dahlman, however Zerafa found himself slipping over his own feet and falling onto the mat.
The referee called Zerafa had been knocked down, much to the discontent of the fighter.
“What, no I didn’t,” Zerafa was heard yelling in the ring.
He then added post-fight that he believed it was “a bad call”.
“I said to the referee it was a bad call but he apologised and said he couldn’t see clear,” Zerafa said.
“It was a bad decision but in the end we got the win.”
The incident only lifted the intensity and hunger of Zerafa, who needed just one more minute in the ring to seal the result of the fight.
“Wow, what a statement – living by the motto, don’t get paid overtime,” Paro said.
As for Tszyu, Ismaili found himself down on the mat inside the first 90 seconds of the battle as the crowd leapt to their feet and raised the energy in the arena.
His Macedonian rival battled through to the bell but failed to return from his stool to begin the second round.
“I thought it would be harder. I thought it would go to the mid rounds,” said Tszyu in the ring.
“I was nice and patient at first, then saw the openings and went for them.
