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AAP
AAP
Sport
Darren Walton

Done and dusted as Tsyzu dismisses Zerafa

Tim Tsyzu says Michael Zerafa is like an old girlfriend and won't be getting another chance. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Tim Tszyu has categorically ruled out ever offering Michael Zerafa another fight, likening the notorious no-show to an ex-girlfriend who's had her chance.

Tszyu and Zerafa were due to stoush last year in Newcastle in the much-hyped all-Australian grudge match of the year.

But Zerafa was a sensational late scratching, saying he wasn't prepared to leave Melbourne during the height of COVID-19 and then having to endure a two-week stint in lockdown upon his return to Victoria.

"We're happy to fight him anywhere in the country if it's deemed COVID-free," Zerafa said at the time.

"I'm not going to go and fight with no team and no trainers behind me after being with them for the last 12 weeks in camp. (Their health and financial wellbeing) always comes first."

Sixteen months later and Zerafa will co-headline a Main Event card next week being put on by Tszyu's promoters No Limit Boxing at the Sydney Entertainment Quarter.

But just because No Limit Boxing has forgiven Zerafa, who is taking on unbeaten Italian Danilo 'Dash' Creati, doesn't mean Tsyzu has forgiven his bitter rival.

"Nah, that's done. Done and dusted," Tszyu told AAP when asked if he'd ever be willing to step into the ring with Zerafa.

"Ex-girlfriend, you can't go back to your ex-girlfriend, right?

"Look, we prepped for three months. Whatever his excuse is, he wasn't there for the fight. I don't care what the excuse was, there's no denying the fact that he didn't rock up so he's history."

Instead Tszyu is focusing only on his looming super-welterweight world title unification showdown with American Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas.

Tsyzu has been training relentlessly in the tropical jungles of Thailand preparing for his January 28 date with destiny.

The undefeated 28-year-old said the gruelling getaway had helped chisel him into the most supreme shape of his career.

"It's just being able to get out of your comfort zone and changing up your environment.

"I've got health foods a minute away from me right here - I'm never hungry.

"I've got proper massages. I've got a gym that's 20 metres away. I'm living in a jungle.

"I'm running up high-altitude mountains. The mountain I'm running up is just sick. The Big Buddha Run, I think it's 4.5 kilometres but it's a flat-out grind, let's just say that.

"I'm doing a lot of strength and conditioning and I'm sparring in the heat. The conditions are just unbelievably tough and I'm just mentally preparing myself.

"You (think you) can't push another round but you keep pushing it and pushing it.

"This is what it takes to get to the very top. I'm in tremendous shape right now and, if the fight was tomorrow, I'd be ready to go.

"But I will peak when I need to peak."

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