A nasty clash between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa exploded, with both boxers having to be separated after a heated exchange at the weigh-in.

The story of bad blood between the Tszyu family and Zerafa is real and reached a boiling point when two heads butted in Brisbane’s King George Square.

There are no NRL-style sins at the weigh-in, but two security officers separated the pair when they came face to face after making the scales, before a more civilized break-up took place.

Zerafa (34-5, 22 KO) explained what pissed him off before Friday’s fight at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

“Nikita put his hands on my face and chin too much while driving. I let it happen, but not this time,” Zerafa shot.

“It wasn’t anything personal, but I wanted to show my authority and that I’m not a pushover.”

Tszyu (11-0, 9 KO) said the heated exchange at the weigh-in was a turning point in his campaign.

“We are preparing to fight. This is nothing compared to what will happen tomorrow,” he said.

“When the weigh-in happens, a certain switch is turned on in your body that makes you ready for war.

“I wanted a change of pace. I’ve been a little more laid back and relaxed at press conferences in the past, but I actually started with the weigh-in.”

The argument will end tonight… 🍿

Who do you have.. Tszyu or Zerafa?? 🥊 pic.twitter.com/xo6m5moW4x

— ESPN Australia and Recent Zealand (@ESPNAusNZ) January 15, 2026

Zerafa said he was ahead of the intensity curve with a drastic barb at Tszyu.

“His switch could have been flipped now. Mine was flipped 48 hours ago,” he replied.

“It’s time to perform.”

Tszyu couldn’t aid but fire his bow one more time at his opponent when asked what his last words to Zerafa would be before the fight.

“Enjoy the pain because I live for this pain,” Tszyu said.

“I take comfort in pain. Pain is when I feel alive. I know he didn’t like it that much in the past, so… let’s love it.”

When asked what Zerafa’s words might be, he had other final words for Tszyu.

“God bless you,” he said.

This is not so strange for a man who has a tattoo of Psalm 30:5, which reads: “Weeping may last all night, but in the morning there is joy.”

Zerafa, who hopes to be cheerful on Saturday morning, also had one last sled for Tszyu.

“It starts off pretty solid and fades towards the end, so I expect the same,” Zerafa said.

“I don’t care, I believe that whatever he brings, I have the answer.

“He makes a lot of mistakes. I think we all make mistakes, but we worked in the gym and in camp to take advantage of them.”

For Tszyu, who could win a world title within the next 12 months if he wins, it’s his time to shine against a familiar foe.

“The whole story and all the things he said in the past come down to this moment,” Tsyzu said.

“This is a huge moment for me and the biggest test of my career. It’s the pinnacle of my life up to this point. That’s all.”

Also on the card is former Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomon, who is making his professional boxing debut.

Solomona will face former NRL player Jeremy Latimor, who played 182 NRL games for five clubs.