Michael Zerafa has issued a public apology following the controversial no contest against Nikita Tszyu, acknowledging that his post-fight comments in the ring were a mistake. The bout in Boondall, Australia, was waved off in the third round after an accidental head clash left Zerafa with a small cut above his eye, prompting the ringside doctor to stop the fight due to concerns over his vision.
In the aftermath, Zerafa denied telling the doctor that he could not see and placed responsibility for the stoppage elsewhere, drawing heavy criticism from fans and fellow fighters. The reaction inside the arena was hostile, with a crowd of more than 10,000 voicing its displeasure after being denied a decisive outcome in the pay-per-view clash.
On Sunday, Zerafa attempted to defuse the situation with a written statement on social media. “I want to acknowledge that what I said was wrong and apologize,” he wrote. “My choice of words in that moment was poor and does not reflect my values or the person I strive to be.” He explained that emotions were still raw immediately after the fight but accepted full responsibility for his comments.
Zerafa maintained that his vision was genuinely impaired, despite the cut appearing minor and producing little blood. He stated that medical observations not made public recorded his eyesight at 6/20, and described the incident as a misunderstanding rather than an attempt to avoid the contest. He also said the criticism and judgment from parts of the boxing community have taken an emotional toll over time.
The apology did little to change the stance of the Tszyu camp, as Nikita Tszyu reiterated his belief that Zerafa was looking for a way out once discomfort set in.
Image Credit: The Ring