Nikita Tszyu’s immediate fight future — including an all-Australian blockbuster against Michael Zerafa — has been thrown into question after the undefeated boxer was involved in a car accident over the weekend.
Fox Sports Australia understands Tszyu has been forced to temporarily stop all training after a vehicle he was travelling in was struck at an intersection over the weekend.
A No Limit spokesperson has confirmed the incident, and revealed the fighter is now recovering at home with his family.
When asked about what, if any impact it would have on the proposed Zerafa fight, they added: “A decision regarding any return to the ring in 2025 will be made in the coming weeks”.
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Adding to the intrigue, Tszyu posted to his Instagram account on Monday showing himself, wife Nikita and young daughter Curiosity – plus their three dogs – out and about in what appeared to be a national park.
However, it has been suggested the happy snaps were taken prior to the weekend’s accident, and that the fighter likely posted them online this week given he is home and being forced to rest up from training.
As first revealed way back in June, Nikita Tszyu and Zerafa are tracking to face off in a hyped grudge match this December.
While nothing has yet been confirmed by promoters No Limit, both fighters are understood to have signed off on the fight and are already training for the showdown — having both enjoyed convincing stoppage wins on the same Sydney card in August.
However, moments after Fox Sports Australia went live with the car crash story on Tuesday, Zerafa reached out for details, claiming he is yet to be contacted by anyone about the drama.
Told of the statement suggesting an announcement will be made in “coming weeks”, the fighter dubbed Pretty Boy continued: “Well, they’d better hurry up because we’re only about eight weeks out now.
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“I’m down here in Melbourne training like a f***ing demon.
“So whether I fight Nikita Tszyu or someone else, I’m fighting in December.
“I had no idea about any of this until a couple of minutes ago.
“I’d just finished up my third session for the day when someone phoned up asking how I felt about Nikita Tszyu being in a car crash.
“I told them ‘what? I don’t understand’.
“So then they briefly explained what is going on. I had no idea.”
So now that you do know?
“But I’m guessing the fact nobody from No Limit has called me yet means it isn’t serious,” Zerafa continued.
“But who knows?
“Even if Nikita isn’t in hospital, he could still be sore for weeks.
“And for a fight like we’re having, you want to be absolutely 100 per cent.
“But as of right now I haven’t heard anything.”
The longtime title contender also stressed that, regardless of the bad blood between himself and the Tszyus, he wished nothing but the best for his impending rival – but also stressed he would be fighting in December, regardless.
“Obviously, despite everything, I really wish Nikita all the best,” Zerafa continued.
“And if he can’t fight, well, we will go early in the new year.
“I’m guessing if he can’t go in December it will be March, or April, whatever.
“So rest up.
“Get yourself ready.
“But I’m good to fight now. I’m training five, six hours a day.
“I’m training to go in December.”
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Certainly, the Tszyu brothers are no stranger to drama in the build to fights.
Nikita, in particular, only returned to the ring in August, and after having spent a year recovering from a troublesome left hand surgery that saw ‘The Butcher’ twice forced to delay comebacks due to ongoing issues.
Of course, two years ago, and while readying for a world title fight, Tim Tszyu was also famously rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after being attacked by his mate’s bull terrier during a backyard BBQ
While Tszyu still took, and won, the fight against Mexico’s Carlos Campo, he had been forced to continue his camp with a serious arm wound that – initially described as “hanging two pieces of meat together” – eventually required 25 stitches.
Then earlier this year, and only weeks out from his hyped rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas, the elder Tszyu sibling was left “rocked” after his beloved French bulldog Pablo suffered a severe brain infection.
With his “best mate” of 10 years being rushed in for emergency surgery, the Australian boxing star was forced to split training sessions with visits to a veterinary ICU.
Incredibly, Nikita Tszyu was initially slated to face Michael Zerafa in December last year, however was forced to undergo surgery in October for an issue that he’d been quietly fighting on with for years.
Twice the youngster was penciled in for a return. Twice it has been delayed.
Asked by Fox Sports Australia in July, and only weeks out from his return, exactly how long he had been punching at 100 per cent again, Nikita replied: “A couple of months.
“Hard surfaces? Maybe a month
“Going hard on the heavy bag for a month.
“Heads? One day.”
He then revealed how this latest comeback attempt had also not been without a scare.
“Funny enough, in the morning I woke up and could feel the injury a little bit,” the 27-year-old continued.
“I was like ‘oh, f***, not again’.
“But then, it didn’t really hurt in the sparring session.
“Or not compared to March, where I really busted it up again.
“Big difference.”
At which point Tszyu was asked to just confirm again how long ago this all was?
“Yesterday,” he grinned.
“But now it’s a little bit better.
“(Laughs) Guys we’re good, relax.
“I’ll be fine.”