Tszyu vs Zerafa: Michael Zerafa is 'Australia's most hated man' says Tim Tszyu

Brendan Bradford

Tszyu vs Zerafa: Michael Zerafa is 'Australia's most hated man' says Tim Tszyu image

Tim Tszyu has labelled Michael Zerafa "Australia's most hated man" and plans on beating the 29-year-old "for people all round the country" when the pair step into the ring in Newcastle next Wednesday night. 

Despite significant uncertainty around the fight after Sydney went into lockdown over the weekend, the hugely anticipated super-welterweight showdown will go ahead on Wednesday, July 7 with reduced capacity at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

A star in Steel City since his win over Dennis Hogan there in March, Tszyu is completing the final two weeks of his training camp in Newcastle due to COVID complications in Sydney. 

"It feels like home here now and it's good to be settled and in the zone," Tszyu told Sporting News on Monday. 

"The support's been amazing, it's great here. Not many Zerafa fans though...

"I don't think there's that many Zerafa fans in Australia at all. Maybe people don't like him for whatever reason, but I'm sure fans all over Australia will be tuning in to this one, and they'll all be on my side."

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Zerafa ignited the build-up to the fight last week when he said he wanted to be known as "Micky Hatton" in reference to British boxer Ricky Hatton's win over Kostya Tszyu in 2005. 

The comment sparked a heated reaction in with the comment sections, while Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings called Zerafa "delusional".

Tszyu labelled the comment "disrespectful" and said he feels a responsiblity to the rest of the country to beat Zerafa in convincing fashion. 

"We're two different types of personality. We're different blokes," Tszyu told Sporting News. 

"I wouldn't get along with that type of bloke. Simple.

"He's hated in Australia. Right now, he's Australia's most hated man. I'm not doing this for myself, I'm doing it for my family, but also for every fan in Australia that wants one thing: to shut this guy up.

"It's a responsibility. It's a big responsibility to all the people all around Australia. I'm doing this for them, not just myself. 

"The best thing about boxing is you get to punish them for saying that, and fight night is my turn to bring out my words."

 

Brendan Bradford