The cut was poorly placed, directly above the eye, where swelling impaired vision as the bullets accumulated. The doctor made a call that doctors make. But it wasn’t a cut open through the skin. This was the result of bad timing.

Zerafa: “I said it’s blurry, but it’s fine, let’s go,” he asked if Zerafa had told the doctor that he couldn’t see. “No, I’m ready. We’ll do it again, let’s do it again,” he said.

Tszyu was gaining momentum. His body punch was hitting the ground and he was patient in working behind it. In the second minute, he began to establish himself on the ropes, finding distance at close range and deflecting a right counter that had him momentarily unsettled. The fight was dead until two o’clock, but Tszyu seemed to sense the moment Zerafa entered.

Zerafa was the early aggressor, not landing any power punches. In the first one he threw combinations, but had difficulty hitting the flush. A brief stumble after the exchange suggested he was still finding his feet. The counter showed flashes in the second second, but it wasn’t enough to change the control.

Head-to-head clashes are inevitable when the orthodox meet the southpaw in close quarters. Leading feet line up, heads drift, and referees can only warn. This particular clash took place just as the fight was taking shape. Tszyu started cutting off the ring. Zerafa focused on counterattacks with his back legs. Two more rounds could have cleared everything up.

The immediate reaction will be calls for a third fight. This makes sense from a commercial point of view. But both men need to consider what this result actually tells them. Tszyu showed that he can withstand pressure in the early game and work effectively in the mid-range. After just a few rounds, Zerafa showed that he can put pressure on the younger fighter without gassing him.

Demsey McKean wins

Demsey McKean defeated Toese Vousiutu in the seventh round on Friday night in Australia, adding another name to his record but doing little to clarify where he stands among the true heavyweights. The fight ended with Vousiutu unable to continue after a lengthy punishment, but the level of the opponent says more about his opponent selection than it does about McKean’s readiness for something grave.

McKean worked with a steady jab and controlled distance against a fighter who had no right to be there with him. Vousiutu showed heart but lacked the skill and fitness to be competitive. Fatigue set in midway through the rounds, and McKean’s cleaner, stronger punches eventually forced a stoppage. It was professional, professional and unremarkable.

Swift night for Nelson Asofa-Solomon

Nelson Asofa-Solomon knocked out Jeremy Latimore in the first round, which sounds more impressive than it actually is. Asofa-Solomon is a professional rugby player testing the boxing waters, and Latimore was there to provide token resistance. The knockout came quickly, but against an opponent with no jab, indigent footwork and hands held too low. This was a promotional exercise, not a competitive fight.

Ivic overtook Taliva

Stevan Ivic took a majority decision victory over Liam Taliva after ten rounds, with two judges scoring it 96-94 and one finding it even. Ivic racked up enough rounds with jabs and cleaner combinations to earn the nod, but tight scorecards suggested he couldn’t impose his will. Taliva’a stayed in the pocket, gave back and made Ivic work for every exchange. Neither fighter showed the footwork or ring generality needed to make significant steps up the ladder.

Liam Wilson’s Power Returns

Liam Wilson knocked out Rodex Piala in the fourth round at super featherweight, showing the arm strength that once made him a legitimate contender. Wilson set up the finish with powerful body work, broke Piala and performed a finishing combination without drama. The performance was good, but Piala made no lateral movement and was caught running up predictably. Wilson looked good because he was supposed to look good.

Routine wins for Reeves and Polkinghorn

Max Reeves dismissed Sonny Abid 60-54 at super middleweight, boxing with a stiff jab and never giving Abid room to set his feet. Billy Polkinghorn did the same against lightweight Jomar Paliwen, also winning 60-54 on all cards. Both fights were one-sided exercises in ring control, with neither opponent offering counterattacks or effective pressing. These were development battles that confirmed that none of the prospects was at risk.