Michael Zerafa faces Tszyu’s brother next month
Boxing legend Michael Zerafa has claimed Tim Tszyu will struggle with the best fighters in his division after annihilating previously undefeated Anthony Velazquez in Sydney.
Tszyu easily claimed victory against Velazquez, in what was his first fight under new coach Pedro Diaz.
But Zerafa has now pointed the finger at Tszyu for not knocking out his rival.
The 33-year-old, who is set to face off with Tszyu’s brother Nikita on January 16, has claimed ‘the old Tim is better’.
‘Tim should’ve got him outta there in three rounds,’ Zerafa said.
‘I feel like it’s a worse Tim – he still looked like he didn’t know what he was doing. He couldn’t finish him, he was prancing around a little bit.’
Tim Tszyu (pictured) won his fight against Anthony Velazquez after suffering three defeats in his last four fights leading up to the bout
Michael Zerafa (pictured) has taken aim at Tszyu for lacking killer instinct
Tszyu (pictured) bounced back to form after his previous loss against Sebastian Fundora
Zerafa claims his comments are not out of spite, or part of a wider effort to build up tension ahead of his figt against Tszyu’s brother.
But the 31-year-old has since defended his tactics.
He’s revealed he wanted to spend more time in the ring.
Tszyu has disclosed he preferred that over winning easily and learning nothing.
‘I really just wanted to feel comfortable in there,’ Tszyu said.
‘I wanted to get in the ring, not try go for the KO and get reckless. In the past, that’s what actually came wrong by me.
‘I wanted to take my time, use my jab. I have all the skills in the world, I just need to apply them.’
Tszyu now boasts a 26-3 professional fighting record after handing Velazquez his first loss in the Sydney fight.
The Aussie had lost three out of his last four fights, before he faced off with Velazquez.
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Tim Tszyu’s arch-rival slams him after fighter’s vicious comeback win