Friday January 16 shapes as one of the biggest grudge matches in recent Australian boxing history, with Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa finally set to throw down and settle a long-simmering feud.
Staged at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the blockbuster bout brings years of personal insults, broken promises and one notorious walkout to a boiling point.
N. Tszyu vs Zerafa | Friday 16 Jan from 7pm AEDT | The trash talk and bitterness come to a head when Nikita Tszyu steps into the ring to face Michael Zerafa in one of the most anticipated fights in Australian boxing history. Plus ex-NRL enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s pro debut and CJ Mundine in action | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Contested at a catchweight between super welterweight and middleweight, the 10-round showdown promises a spiteful clash that Aussie fight fans won’t want to miss.
The stacked undercard adds further intrigue, featuring the pro debut of former Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona, as well as a return to the ring of the son of sports legend Anthony Mundine.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Tszyu–Zerafa fight, including the date, start time, full fight card and how to watch.
WHEN IS NIKITA TSZYU VS MICHAEL ZERAFA?
Friday, January 16, 2026 from 7pm AEDT
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
The pay-per-view card commences at the following times:
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT – 7:00pm AEDT
South Australia – 6:30pm ACDT
Queensland – 6:00pm AEST
Northern Territory – 5:30pm ACST
Western Australia – 4:00pm AWST
With a five-fight main card, the main event is likely to start closer to 10pm AEDT.
WHERE IS IT?
The fight will be staged at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Tickets can be purchased here.
HOW TO WATCH?
You can order the full fight card now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Fox Sports Australia will also be live-blogging the event on the night.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID?
Zerafa, the more seasoned campaigner who has shared the ring with some of the biggest names in the division, believes his experience and class will prove too much for his younger rival.
“Where you are, I’ve been,” Zerafa told Tszyu during the Face Off.
“I’m 40 fights in. Have fought for world titles, fought world champions, cleaned out my backyard. You haven’t done that yet …”
Tszyu was quick to fire back, reminding Zerafa of his record on the biggest stage.
“You’ve come up short,” he grinned.
Despite Zerafa’s recent “nice guy” demeanour, Tszyu admits the bad blood between the pair is very real, revealing he’s been having “evil thoughts” about the upcoming showdown.
“At the end of the day I really want to smash his head in – and I’m sure he wants to do the same to me,” he said.
“It’s a funny thing, boxing. We are quite calm… but we know the inevitable future is going to be a bloody mess.
“I’m smiling at him, but in the back of my head I’m thinking that I cannot wait to hit him.”
In the past, “Pretty Boy” has also made light of Kostya Tszyu’s loss to British boxer Ricky Hatton, which the Tszyu family has clearly not forgotten about.
WILL THE SOUTHPAW-ORTHODOX CLASH BE A FACTOR?
Unlike his famous father or brother, Nikita Tszyu fights as a southpaw, bringing an often unpredictable and aggressive style that chews opponents up. They don’t call him “The Butcher” for nothing.
While he lacks the polish or experience that Zerafa has, these factors make him very dangerous proposition.
Zerafa’s most recent professional loss was to southpaw Erislandy Lara, so the stylistic matchup is certainly something to consider.
At the same time, Tszyu’s unorthodox style and tendency to get sucked into brawls has also shown that he can be tagged. More than a few experts have wondered how he will fare against elite competiton.
BETTING ODDS
Zerafa’s long standing as a middleweight contender sees him the $1.85 TAB favourite, with Tszyu slightly wider at $1.92.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Michael Zerafa
Age: 33
Height: 180 cm
Reach: 182 cm
Record: 34-5-0 (22 KOs)
Stance: Orthodox
Nikita Tszyu
Age: 27
Height: 176cm
Reach: 176cm
Record: 11-0-0 (9 KOs)
Stance: Southpaw
FULL FIGHT CARD
Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa – 10 rounds (Middleweight)
Demsey McKean vs. Toese Vousiutu – 8 rounds (Heavyweight)
Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs. Jeremy Latimore – 4 rounds (Heavyweight)
Stevan Ivic vs. Liam Talivaa – 10 rounds (Heavyweight)
Liam Wilson vs. Rodex Piala – 10 rounds (Super Featherweight)
PRELIMS
Max Reeves vs. Sonny Abid – 6 rounds (Super Middleweight)
Billy Polkinghorn vs. Jomar Paliwen (Lightweight)
Rahim Mundine vs. Geoffrey Matthews – 4 rounds (Middleweight)
Blake Wells vs. Ainiwaer Yilixiati – 10 rounds (Middleweight)
Jack Javed vs. Zephy Vaotu’ua – 4 rounds (Super Welterweight)
Nikita laughs off ‘big risk’ opponent | 05:46
PREDICTIONS
Nick Walshaw: Nikita Tszyu TKO R7
It’s a genuine pick ‘em fight, but I’m going with Nikita.
James Cooney: Michael Zerafa TKO R6
I think it will start as a chess match before opening up into a war in the third or fourth round. I’m leaning towards Michael Zerafa, but he will need to be very careful.