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Tszyu camp hits out at 'delusional' Zerafa

3 minute read

Tim Tszyu's camp is promising to make Michael Zerafa pay for his insensitive comments about his rival's legendary father Kostya.

TIM TSZYU.
TIM TSZYU. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Michael Zerafa should brace for retribution after striking a "low blow" with heartless comments that have left Tim Tszyu's camp irate ahead of Australian boxing's grudge match of the year.

Zerafa's doubling down on his declaration that he plans to do a "Micky Hatton" on Tszyu 16 years after Englishman Ricky Hatton ended his legendary father Kostya's career has lit the fuse for an explosive showdown in Newcastle on July 7.

"Don't talk about that fight, man. Don't talk about it," Tszyu told Zerafa when the bitter rivals faced off for a Fox Sports promo.

Tszyu was only 10 years old when Hatton punished his father like few fighters had before with borderline body shots to snatch the IBF light welterweight world title belt from arguably Australia's greatest ever boxer.

The defeat in Manchester still haunts the Tszyu camp and family.

"I'm just saying, you remember what happened in that fight. Micky Hatton's rocking up," Zerafa said, prompting a steely glare and "we'll see" from the 26-year-old son of a gun Tszyu.

Glenn Jennings, manager of Kostya back then and Tim now, says Zerafa will pay for his insensitive remarks.

"To bring up the fact that that was the end of Kostya's career in such an inflammatory way was a pretty poor decision on his behalf," Jennings told AAP on Tuesday.

"There are some lines when you've got somebody with such reverence in the community as Kostya.

"To be honest, we could have remained silent and said nothing because you've only got to have a look at the social media reaction to it. Zerafa's been crucified and rightly so.

"The Australian public have told him in no uncertain terms that this was a very, very poor performance from Michael Zerafa and really drops him back down to the bottom of the ladder."

Zerafa, though, believes he has rattled his undefeated opponent and is winning the mental battle with Tszyu with his verbal provocation.

"Based on yesterday, that's just another example of the delusional state that Michael's in," Jennings said.

"It's had an impact on Tim but he's got a job to do. He never gets distracted and he stays true to the cause there now.

"But I'm sure in the back of his mind now there will be just a little bit more spite and a bit more determination to make Michael Zerafa finally eat his own words.

"The problem for Michael is now is that after two years of bucketing Tim and continuing to pull out the low blows and disrespect like yesterday, he's just turning the furnace on himself.

"The pressure comes heavier and heavier on him to put up or shut up."

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