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Zerafa goes off on ‘arrogant’ Tszyu | 02:18
A fighter dubbed Russia’s Jake Paul has been catapulted back into the Nikita Tszyu sweepstakes after signing on to throw down against another of Australia’s most exciting prospects – undefeated Mateo Tapia.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Tapia, who joined the No Limit stable only last year, has signed off to face Russian Sergey Vorobiev on the March 12 Pay-Per-View card headlined by Brock Jarvis and Keith Thurman.
Now living and training in Florida, Tapia (17-0-1) will be making his first appearance since an incredible war against Venezuela’s Endry Saavedra last October ended in a majority draw – and on the same night Tim Tszyu suffered his own brutal world title loss against IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev.
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Vorobiev, meanwhile, made headlines of his own last year after the now Sydney-based fighter, who has been ranked as high as No.4 among domestic super welterweights, posted a controversial YouTube clip urging the younger Tszyu sibling to fight.
The Russian, who has previously sparred the Tszyu boys, also broke with boxing etiquette by uploading footage of himself training against Sydneysider Koen Mazoudier.
The post was put up only days out from the younger Tszyu beating Mazoudier in an incredibly tough domestic scrap.
“Hey bro, it’s me, number four,” Vorobiev said to Nikita via his YouTube Channel, where views number in the tens of millions. “Good luck with your fight, I’ll be there.
“I want to help you get the win, so let me help you.”
The Russian also shared footage of himself sending Mazoudier, during sparring, to one knee with a left hook to the ribs.
“See? Body shots – I think you remember this punch too,” Vorobiev said, referencing a previous training session between the pair.
“Maybe after this fight, you’ll finally be ready to get in the ring with me. Good luck. I’m waiting.”
Undeniably, a win over Tapia would catapult Vorobiev right up into the Tszyu sweepstakes.
After a promising amateur career, Vorobiev mixed his first 20 professional bouts between Russia and Uzbekistan, enduring only the sole loss.
Following his move Down Under, the prospect then linked up with popular Sydney trainer Tony del Vecchio, who branded his charge “the Russian Jake Paul” thanks to both his character and huge social media following.
Yet the Australian switch has proved something of a rollercoaster ride for the fighter — which included breaking his left hand just five weeks before an Australian debut against Wade Ryan.
Vorobiev eventually fought and lost a decision to Ryan on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s win over Brian Mendoza.
Since then, the Russian competed three times in 2024 – earning a win and two draws – and now wants to throw himself back into the Tszyu sweepstakes with a win over Tapia, who he has also previously sparred.
Tapia, meanwhile, will also be looking for a change in fortunes after late last year having his coastal home in St Petersburg, Florida struck twice by hurricanes – which included his apartment complex flooding and “cars floating down the street”.
Born in Mexico and raised on Sydney’s northern beaches, 26-year-old Tapia made his US debut in October 2024, earning a strong stoppage victory over Eric Robles.
The fighter then followed that up with a 10-round decision over Venezuela’s Keiber Gonzalez in April before then enduring a wild draw against Saavedra that saw the Australian knocked down twice and his rival dropped once.
