‘Don’t talk about that’: Zerafa’s ugly, ‘personal’ Kostya jab sparks Tim Tszyu fury

Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu copped a brutal broadside on Monday from upcoming opponent Michael Zerafa that took an already bitter rivalry to an explosive new level.

Zerafa has repeatedly claimed that Tszyu is coasting on the fame that comes with bearing his famous last name.

And on Monday, Zerafa boldly declared he’ll do to Tim what Ricky Hatton did to Tszyu’s father Kostya — end his career in shocking fashion.

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Boxing: Michael Zerafa and Tim Tszyu had a tense panel discussion, that came to life when the former brought up an old fight involving legend Kosta Tszyu…

Boxing: Michael Zerafa and Tim Tszyu had a tense panel discussion, that came to life when the former brought up an old fight involving legend Kosta Tszyu

The pair faced off ahead of their July 7 blockbuster in Newcastle, and things turned ugly when Zerafa compared himself to Ricky Hatton, who ended Kostya Tszyu’s career in a stunning 2005 boilover.

Tim Tszyu wasn’t happy with a personal barb thrown by Michael Zerafa ahead of their July 7 fight. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Zerafa declared: “I’m Micky Zerafa. It’s f***ing Micky Hatton’s rocking up. I’m taking over.”

A shocked Tszyu replied: “Then (Manny) Pacquaio is going to rock up. Remember what Pacquaio did to (Ricky) Hatton.”

But Zerafa hit back: “Remember what Ricky Hatton did (to Kostya)!”

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. We’ll see. I told you there’s levels (between us).”

All Tszyu offered in reply was a quiet: “We’ll see.”

Boxing: Tim Tszyu hits back at comments made by World Champion fighter Jermell Charlo….

Boxing: Tim Tszyu hits back at comments made by World Champion fighter Jermell Charlo.

Boxing: Tim Tszyu hits back at comments made by World Champion fighter Jermell Charlo….

Boxing: Tim Tszyu hits back at comments made by World Champion fighter Jermell Charlo.

While Zerafa was happy to resurface the painful memories of one of Australian boxing’s toughest nights, he was full of praise for Kostya’s career.

He said: “I’ve watched that fight (recently). Again, you can’t take nothing away, his dad’s a legend. Kostya’s a legend. Even if me and Tim completely hated each other, can’t take nothing away from his old man. His old man’s a legend and put the sport pretty much on the map (in Australia). Dominated the best in the world. Hall of famer.

Zerafa continued: “Looking back on that fight, they fight very similar, him and his old man. There’s ways to beat Tim. Tim’s human. You cut him, he bleeds red. He’s got two arms and a head and has a heartbeat just like me.

“I’ve seen a lot of things going back on Tim’s fights, going back on Kostya’s fights. They’re very similar. Very similar.”

Tszyu responded: “One thing is watching. The other thing is when you actually get into the ring. Completely different story.”

Tim Tszyu was clearly uncomfortable after Zerafa’s dig.Source:FOX SPORTS

Tim Tszyu was visibly affected by the discussion about his father’s loss.

He opened up, saying: “It’s a bad memory. It’s not a good day in our family history. I don’t like to talk about it. And it’s personal. So look, I’ll make sure that doesn’t ever happen in this family ever again.

He added: “I don’t think he meant it. Everyone has dark places in their life. That wasn’t a good place in our family’s life and that’s it.”

Asked if he expects Zerafa to bring up the matter again, he said: “It’s not up to me. I’ll make sure if he does he’ll pay for it.”

Zerafa seemed shocked that his opponent was so upset by the issue, and appeared to back down saying: “I didn’t mean it to come across that way”.

Ben Damon asked Zerafa if he would repeat his personal attack. Zerafa said: “I didn’t…You can’t play boxing. We’re fighters. We settle it in the ring by punching each other’s heads in.

“The fact that it was personal … No (I won’t bring it up), I didn’t mean it and I didn’t mean it to come across that way. I’m just saying that stylistically, comparing the fights – himself and his dad – they’re very similar. Which is great, that’s an honour.

“But they’re human and they can be beaten, that’s the point I was trying to put across. Ricky Hatton came out and got the decision the game plan on July 7 is going to be pretty similar.”

It’s not the first time Tszyu has opened up on the pain his father’s career-ending defeat spawned, previously telling Foxtel’s Main Event Podcast it was a “horrible time”.

On the fourth of June, 2005, Kostya was stunned by Ricky Hatton in front of 22,000 screaming fans at Manchester Arena. It was one of British boxing’s greatest shocks: Hatton was a huge underdog, fighting against the Junior Welterweight champion who had dominated the division for over a decade.

(CONTACT PICTURE DESK BEFORE USE) Boxer Michael Zerafa training at his gym ahead of fight with Tim Tsuzu. Picture: Tony GoughSource:News Corp Australia

The fight turned into a bitter war, with low blows aplenty including some which appeared to be deliberate.

Both fighters ended up battered and bruised. Then, after 11 gruelling rounds – down on the scorecards and slowed by his opponent’s assault – Kostya failed to emerge from his corner.

His trainer, the great Johnny Lewis, threw in the towel. It was the second loss of Tszyu’s stunning career. And though he didn’t officially announce his retirement, he would never enter the ring again.

Kostya told the Main Event Podcast: “I promised my mum (to) never fight again. She asked me ‘please don’t do this’, I said ‘yes mum I will never do this again’.”

Tim said: “It was just a horrible time, horrible. I can’t describe it anymore.”

Kostya added: “I was lost, for three or four months I was completely gone from my head. No one could stop me. I was alone. Alone for six months.”

Tim said: “I didn’t say anything but I did want my Dad to fight (again) … I wanted him to go and knock out all of the welterweights which I knew he could have.”

But Kostya kept his promise to his mother, despite big-money offers of a rematch and plenty of other opportunities.

Now Tim is ready to carry the burden of the Tszyu name as he seeks to rebuild the great ‘Tszyucastle’ fortress on July 7 — and avenge his father’s loss when he takes on a man deeming himself the new ‘Hatton’.

Originally published asTim Tszyu fires up over ‘personal’ insult

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