If you were looking for fireworks last night, you definitely got them, provided you knew where to point your remote. While the casual fans were probably asleep, the hardcore boxing world was split between a massive domestic grudge match in Australia and a late-night Golden Boy card in California that underwent a chaotic last-minute facelift.
Honestly, the biggest story of the night wasn't even on American soil. Over at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the years of bad blood between the Tszyu family and Michael Zerafa finally reached a boiling point. But that wasn't all. Stateside, we saw an undefeated prospect prove he could handle a major weight jump on just 24 hours' notice.
Let's break down exactly who fought last night in boxing and why these results actually matter for the rest of 2026.
The Australian Civil War: Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa
This fight has been brewing since roughly 2020. That's when Zerafa famously pulled out of a fight against Tim Tszyu, sparking a feud that turned the Tszyu name into a forbidden word in the Zerafa household. Last night, the "Butcher" finally got his hands on a Tszyu, but it was the younger, arguably more aggressive brother, Nikita.
Nikita Tszyu entered the ring with that terrifying "Butcher" moniker—ironic, since he was fighting the original "Pretty Boy" Michael Zerafa. Most experts were worried about Nikita’s lack of experience compared to Zerafa’s 40-fight resume. Zerafa has been in with world-class talent like Kell Brook and Erislandy Lara. Nikita? He’s mostly been steamrolling domestic competition.
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The fight lived up to the hype. It was a classic case of youth and relentless aggression versus veteran craftiness. Nikita didn't just win; he sent a message that he isn't just Tim’s little brother. The atmosphere in Brisbane was electric, and with Tim Tszyu watching ringside, the "Tszyu Dynasty" feels more secure than ever.
Chaos in California: Raul Curiel’s Last-Minute Gamble
Across the world in Palm Desert, California, the Golden Boy card on DAZN nearly fell apart on Thursday. Alexis Rocha was supposed to headline in a highly anticipated rematch against Raul "Cugar" Curiel. Then, medical issues forced Rocha out.
Enter Jordan Panthen.
Panthen wasn't even supposed to be the main event, but he stepped up to face the undefeated Curiel. Here's the kicker: Curiel is a natural welterweight. Panthen is a middleweight. Curiel had to jump up ten pounds—a massive leap in professional boxing—just to keep the show alive.
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It wasn't a "Fight of the Year" contender, but it was a masterclass in boxing IQ. Curiel used his jab to neutralize the bigger man's power. Panthen tried to bully him, pressing forward and landing some heavy uppercuts in the fourth, but he looked gassed by the championship rounds.
The judges saw it 97-93 twice and 98-92 for Curiel. Staying undefeated at 17-0-1 after taking on a middleweight on a day's notice? That’s how you earn a title shot. Curiel mentioned after the fight that he's ready to head back down to welterweight and start hunting for a belt.
The Undercover Hits: Undercard Gems You Might Have Missed
While the main events take the headlines, the undercards last night were surprisingly deep.
- Manuel “Gucci” Flores vs. Jorge Chavez: This was a rematch that actually delivered more than the original. They went the full ten rounds in a total war. Chavez took over in the second half, nearly stopping Flores in the closing minutes. The scorecards (96-94, 97-93, 98-92) all went to Chavez, who moves to 14-0-1.
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s Debut: In Brisbane, we saw the pro debut of NRL enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Crossing over from rugby to boxing is a tradition in Australia, and Big Nelson looked every bit the heavyweight prospect as he took on Jeremy Latimore.
- Ruslan Abdulaev: If you aren't watching this kid at 140 pounds, start now. He dismantled Eduardo Abreu with a fifth-round TKO. He’s now 4-0 and looks like he’s playing a different sport than his opponents.
Why Last Night Matters for 2026
When people ask who fought last night in boxing, they usually just want the winner's name. But the "why" is more interesting.
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Nikita Tszyu is no longer a prospect; he’s a headliner. We’re likely going to see him moved toward a world title shot by the end of the year. For Zerafa, this might be the end of the road at the elite level.
As for Raul Curiel, he proved he’s a "company man" for Golden Boy by saving the card. That kind of loyalty usually gets rewarded with a big-money fight. Don't be surprised if he's matched up with a top-five welterweight by the summer.
Your Boxing Watchlist for Next Week
If last night got your blood pumping, the schedule doesn't slow down. Here is what you should be looking at next:
- Check the Replay: If you missed Flores vs. Chavez 2, go find it on DAZN. It was a better fight than the main event.
- Monitor the Welterweight Rankings: Keep an eye on the WBC and WBO rankings. Curiel’s win over a middleweight should vault him up, making him a mandatory challenger soon.
- Follow the Tszyu Path: Rumors are already swirling about a potential U.S. debut for Nikita. If he can bring that Brisbane energy to Vegas, he'll be a superstar.
Boxing in 2026 is starting off with a bang. Between the domestic wars in Australia and the resilient prospects in the States, the sport is in a weirdly healthy place right now.