A storm of controversy has erupted just days before Tim Tszyu’s scheduled bout against Joey Spencer, prompting Aussie middleweight Michael Zerafa to throw his name into the mix as a potential replacement. Spencer’s camp is considering pulling out of Sunday’s main event in Sydney after learning that all three appointed judges are Australian - a direct contradiction, they say, of an earlier agreement to include at least two neutral officials.
In response, Zerafa spoke with Fox Sports Australia and made it clear he’s ready to step in if Spencer walks. “If they decide not to move forward, I’ll be ready,” he said, referencing a previously canceled fight with Tszyu in 2021. That clash fell through during COVID lockdowns and ignited public criticism, but Zerafa has since rebuilt his profile and even appeared on Tszyu’s Las Vegas undercard last year.
Spencer’s father and trainer, Jason Spencer, calls the last-minute judging switch “completely unprofessional,” citing concerns about possible unconscious bias favoring the home fighter. While he isn’t accusing anyone of cheating, Jason stresses that even a slight tilt in how judges view close rounds can swing the outcome and possibly derail a fighter’s career.
Tszyu has yet to publicly address the issue. If the disagreement over officials can’t be resolved, the already tense fight week may see Spencer withdraw.
Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions