Australia’s Tim Tszyu has branded arch rival Michael Zerafa “sad” for trying to chase a fight with his younger brother Nikita – while also taking a dig at the former world title challenger for now having to fight on the undercard of both brothers.
Only a day after Zerafa took aim at the nation’s No.1 fighting family – by again reviving a sledge involving Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu’s last loss – video has emerged of Tim putting the Melburnian in his own crosshairs.
Speaking recently from his Las Vegas training camp, ‘The Soul Taker’ told Main Event’s Ben Damon that he was surprised to hear about Zerafa fighting on the undercard of Nikita’s latest national title defence against Koen Mazoudier in Sydney next Wednesday.
BOXING: NIKITA TSZYU V MAZOUDIER | WED 28 AUG 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Zerafa relives ‘Mickey Hatton’ sledge | 00:59
It comes after the polarising ‘Pretty Boy’ last fought on the Las Vegas undercard of Tim Tszyu’s upset world title loss against Sebastian Fundora in March.
While the older Tszyu sibling has landed a second title shot — facing IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, October 20 (Australian time) — Zerafa is now returning to the ring against veteran Tommy Browne.
Told that the man who famously walked out of an all-Australian headliner against him three years ago was now back on another Tszyu card, the 29-year-old superstar replied: “Zerafa? On Nikita’s undercard?”
Then, laughing, he continued of the fella who was knocked out by WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara in March: “Oh, poor fella … the ship has sailed, huh.”
Tszyu, added, however, he would welcome his brother fighting Zerafa should both men win next Wednesday.
“I’d love to (see it),” the fighter said when asked about No Limit putting together an all-Australian bout between the pair.
“Nikita makes me nervous already.
“But if it leads to Zerafa, that’s pretty cool for Nikita.
“And pretty sad for Zerafa.
“Nikita is real early in his career and he’s a 30-fight veteran.”
And as for Tim Tszyu versus Zerafa ever eventuating, as his longtime rival keeps stressing will take place?
“That’s gone man,” he grinned. “Forget the name.”
While, officially, Zerafa is set to face Browne next Wednesday, the bigger storyline involves a three-fight deal the Aussie boxing bad boy has inked with No Limit – with showdowns with both Tszyu boys the end goal.
Speaking with Main Event’s Ben Damon recently, Zerafa branded the Tszyu brothers “weird” while also vowing to revive the worst memory in their family’s proud fight history, declaring: “Micky Hatton is back … Micky Hatton never left”.
BOXING: NIKITA TSZYU V MAZOUDIER | WED 28 AUG 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The old sledge that rocked Tim Tszyu | 00:46
It follows a sledge he threw at Tszyu three years ago, when the pair were supposed to fight in Newcastle, involving dad Kostya’s career-ending loss to Englishman Ricky Hatton way back in 2005.
During a now infamous ‘Face Off’ interview between the pair, Zerafa took aim at Tszyu by declaring he was readying to do what Hatton did to his famous father – and end his career in shocking fashion.
Asked about the line when interviewed by Damon this week, Zerafa laughed: “Micky Hatton is back … Micky Hatton never left”.
Pushed on the original Hatton line, Zerafa said: “My brain works in weird ways.
“(Laughs) I might be just as weird as these Tszyu boys.
“But look, it worked.
“I dropped one line, and that’s the pulling power I want.”
Way back in 2005, Kostya Tszyu was shockingly upset by Englishman Hatton in front of 22,000 screaming fans at Manchester Arena.
While Hatton was a huge underdog, the Brit produced the fight of his life through 11 rounds before, down on the scorecards, Tszyu failed to emerge from the corner, with his trainer Johnny Lewis throwing in the towel.
While Tszyu snr never officially announced his retirement that night, or in the days after, it remains the last fight of his Hall of Fame career.
And it was that moment Zerafa decided to revive during a 2021 interview that saw the pair square off inside Fox Sports Australia’s Sydney studios.
Without prompting, Zerafa started: “I’m Micky Zerafa … it’s f***ing Micky Hatton rocking up. I’m taking over.”
A shocked Tszyu replied that “Pacquaio is going to rock up”, a reference to the Filipino legend who famously beat Hatton in 2009.
“Remember what Pacquaio did to (Ricky) Hatton?” Tszyu then said.
Zerafa: “Remember what Ricky Hatton did?”
At which point, a furious Tszyu said: “Don’t talk about that fight man. Don’t talk about that.”
Zerafa responded: “I’m just saying, remember what happened?
“You remember what happened in that fight.
“Micky Hatton’s rocking up ….”
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