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Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa almost came to blows at the weigh-in

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5 months ago

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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.”

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.

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Boxing

Katie Taylor says the September 5 fight will be her last

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6 minutes ago

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June 5, 2026

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Image: Katie Taylor Says September 5 Fight Will Be Her Last

Katie Taylor’s farewell fight is now official.

On Thursday, Matchroom Boxing announced that Taylor will return to Dublin’s Croke Park on September 5 to defend her WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles against undefeated French challenger Flora Pili. The vacant WBC title is also at stake, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.


The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is expected to attract over 80,000 fans to Ireland’s national stadium.

“It seems like the perfect way to end – to become Undisputed Champion once again on our national stadium that holds such a special place in Irish hearts. I’m grateful that this is happening and I can’t thank the people of this country enough for the support I’ve received over the years.

“People have traveled all over the world following my career and I hope I can return the favor with a confident performance on September 5. I have no illusions that Flora will pose a very arduous challenge; she is undefeated as a professional and has a good amateur pedigree, so I have the utmost respect for her.

“I have been blessed to have achieved more in this sport than I could have ever dreamed of, but fighting in Croke Park is truly the icing on the cake. I hope this event inspires a whole recent generation to take up sport and follow their passions.”

Taylor enters the fight with a 25-1 record. The event, which will take place on September 5, will be the first professional boxing event held in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali fought Alvin Lewis there in 1972.

Pili brings an undefeated record of 12-0 to the fight and will be looking for the biggest victory of his career. Tickets go on sale June 12 via Ticketmaster, with pre-sales starting earlier this week.

If successful, Taylor will retire as a three-time undisputed champion.

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Last update: 2026/06/05 at 11:27

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Boxing

‘Rico’s eighth place in the rankings is crazy’ – three leapfrogged WBC heavyweights want Verhoeven next

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1 hour ago

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June 5, 2026

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Rico Verhoeven appears behind heavyweight contenders Andrii Novytskyi, Labinot Xhoxhaj and Guido Vianello after the WBC elevated the Dutch kickboxing champion to number eight in its heavyweight rankings.

World Boxing News spoke to three heavyweights who sacrificed themselves in the WBC rankings to give Rico Verhoeven his due for pushing Oleksandr Usyk to the eleventh round.

The Dutch kickboxing superstar debuted at number eight in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, despite having only boxed twice as a professional.

The decision pushed several established contenders down the list, including undefeated Ukrainian Andrii Novytskyi, European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj and Italian challenger Guido Vianello.

“It’s My Time”

After Verhoeven’s arrival, Novytskyi dropped to twelfth place.

The 30-year-old Ukrainian is undefeated with a record of 16-0 and 12 knockouts, and gained momentum thanks to victories over Alexander Flores and David Zegarra.

When asked about Verhoeven’s ranking, Nowycki told WBN: “I think it’s my time to fight Rico.”

“Number Eight Is Crazy”

Vianello was even more candid.

The Italian heavyweight, who has wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Alexis Barriere, questions Verhoeven’s position while praising his performance against Usyk.

“Rico eighth in the WBC rankings is crazy!” Vianello told World Boxing News.

“I can fight him wherever and whenever he wants.

“In the match against Usyk, he deserved to continue the fight for another round and not be stopped.

“Now he can fight me.”

Vianello became the first ranked heavyweight to openly question Verhoeven’s stance while also volunteering to fight him.

Many observers felt the Dutchman had exceeded expectations in Egypt. Others are not convinced that a single professional defeat should give him an advantage over established rivals.

Mark Robinson

Ready for anything

In the latest rankings, Xhoxhaj ranks lower than Verhoeven, even though he holds the European heavyweight title.

The Kosovo-born contender, who boasts a record of 22-0-1 and 17 knockouts, has made it clear that he is open to any opportunity that comes his way.

“I’m prepared for anything, whether it’s Rico Verhoeven or not,” Xhoxhaj told WBN.

Next move

It’s clear from the comments that all three men currently ranked below Verhoeven would welcome the opportunity to test the former GLORY champion.

The WBC has already praised Verhoeven’s performance in the fight against Usyk, while BoxRec assessed his place among heavyweight contenders in a much less favorable manner.

All three will face Verhoeven in the blink of an eye.

It remains debatable whether Rico will risk losing to another challenger ahead of his proposed rematch with Usyk.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Who is Flora Pili? Everything you need to know about Katie Taylor’s latest opponent

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2 hours ago

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June 5, 2026

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Who is Flora Pili? Everything you need to know about Katie Taylor’s final opponent

Katie Taylor’s swan song opponent in Croke Park has left many scratching their heads wondering who exactly is Flora Pili?

The 82,300-capacity stadium has been confirmed as the host venue as Taylor looks to reclaim her undisputed super lightweight crown on September 5 in Croke Park, Dublin.

The Irish phenom currently holds the IBF, WBO and WBA world titles, but as a “retired” WBC champion, she will also face Pili for the full green and gold belts.

This is because Sandy Ryan, currently the WBC champion on hiatus, will take a break from the sport during her pregnancy, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old’s way to a successful farewell fight is Pili, who represents a somewhat unexpected opponent of one of the all-time greats.

Was Flora Pili a successful amateur?

Most importantly, Pili became a French youth champion and won the senior national title in 2015 and 2019 respectively, and also competed in several international tournaments during her amateur career.

Interestingly, she fought in the international round-robin tournament in Dublin, only to lose in 2017 to extremely talented amateurs Kellie Harrington and Irma Testa.

Pili also lost to Lucy Wildheart during her free campaign, only it was in 2016 and could not be used as ammunition against her professional credibility.

What are Flora Pili’s professional accolades?

Pili boasts a professional record of 12-0 (2 KOs), but most of her appearances have come against constrained opposition, at least compared to the level at which Taylor competed.

However, she overcame a split decision against Silvia Bortot to win the 2023 European title, and her last outing resulted in a majority points win over Jelena Janicijevic in December for the IBO belt.

Where does Flora Pili rank among the sanctioning bodies?

Pili is a top contender in both the WBC and IBF, while the WBA ranks her No. 4 in the super lightweight rankings.

The 28-year-old has clearly earned her high places in the rankings, overtaking Janicijevic, who showed a great performance in the 10-round fight.

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