‘I actually feel sorry for him’: Nikita Tszyu hits back at ‘delusional’ Michael Zerafa

Nikita Tszyu has slammed “delusional” Michael Zerafa for thinking he will ever fight older brother Tim, and laughed off the ‘Pretty Boy’ bringing back his “Micky Hatton” sledge as tensions simmer in the Tszyu-Zerafa feud.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Tim Tszyu and Nikita Tszyu share a joke during a Tim Tszyu Fight Announcement at Tszyu Fight Club on July 18, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Nikita Tszyu has slammed “delusional” Michael Zerafa for the Melburnian thinking he will ever fight older brother Tim, and laughed off the ‘Pretty Boy’ bringing back his “Micky Hatton” sledge.

The younger Tszyu brother is preparing to fight Koen Mazoudier next Wednesday in what will be his fourth pay-per-view main event, but has been forced to respond to Zerafa’s comments.

BOXING: NIKITA TSZYU V MAZOUDIER | WED 28 AUG 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Zerafa fights 41-year-old Tommy Browne on Tszyu’s undercard at the ICC Centre in Sydney, and reopened old wounds this week by bringing back his “Micky Hatton” taunt.

The comment is a reference to Kostya Tszyu’s world title defeat to the legendary Ricky Hatton in 2005.

It was Kostya’s last ever fight, caused significant anguish for the Tszyu family and remains a touchy subject for Tim.

Tszyu will make his second defence of the Australian super-welterweight title against Mazoudier. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Nikita just laughs it off though.

“I kind of feel sorry for him sometimes,” Tszyu told this masthead about Zerafa. “He’s just seeking approval and attention.

“I feel sorry for him for that mindset he has and how he feels like he’s been wronged.

“But then I look at his face and I’m like, ‘Nah, screw that guy, I don’t feel sorry for him’.”

Tszyu even hit out at the fact that Zerafa – who fought for a middleweight world title in Las Vegas in March – is fighting a man nine years older than him.

“It’s like one last grasp, one last chance for any kind of relevance,” he said. “It’s a lot of desperation.

“He’s changing coaches as well, he’s all over the place.”

Zerafa pulled out of that fight with Tim in 2021 due to concerns around travelling during Covid lockdowns.

The Melburnian has now teamed up with Jeff Horn’s former coach, Glenn Rushton, and has laid out an ambitious three-fight plan.

Zerafa was knocked out by Erislandy Lara in March. Picture: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

If all goes according to plan, Zerafa will beat Browne and Nikita to set up a domestic blockbuster with Tim.

“The fact that he thinks that he’s ever fighting Tim again is hilarious,” Nikita said. “That’s not a chance.

“Not a bloody chance.

“He’s just completely delusional. He thinks he knows everything.”

Nikita’s comments come just days after Tim also responded to Zerafa’s plan, telling Main Event’s Ben Damon: “Poor fella, that ship has sailed.

“It’s gone, man. Forget the name.”

No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose also poured water on a fight between Zerafa and the oldest Tszyu brother, telling this masthead: “Tim’s on another level at the moment”

Mazoudier will give Tszyu the toughest fight of his professional career. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Asked whether he expects to fight Zerafa one day, Nikita said he isn’t looking past the 12-3-1 Mazoudier next week.

“I’m not even focused on Zerafa,” he said. “I’m expecting (Koen) to do a little bit of everything.

“He’ll be on the back foot at times, he’ll come forward at times. His transitions will be quite explosive.

“I’ve prepared for two different types of Koen.”

Tszyu returned last week from a month-long training camp alongside Tim in Las Vegas.

It’s his second camp in Sin City with his older brother, but he said they still don’t do any sparring rounds.

“Tim’s not sparring for a southpaw, and I don’t have a death wish,” he joked.

Originally published as ‘I actually feel sorry for him’: Nikita Tszyu hits back at ‘delusional’ Michael Zerafa