'Sick and tired of his bulls--t': Tim Tszyu unloads on Michael Zerafa amid COVID stunt
An uncharacteristically irate Tim Tszyu says he's "sick and tired" of Michael Zerafa's "bullshit" after the Victorian fighter and his camp expressed concerns over travelling to Newcastle for their July 7 showdown amid NSW's COVID outbreak.
Earlier today, Zerafa's trainer/manager Sam Labruna declared members of the team "aren't comfortable" travelling for the fight, with Greater Sydney, which Newcastle falls just outside of, in the grip of a COVID outbreak.
The development has left Tszyu, who is usually subdued in nature, seething, with the fight now hanging in the balance. A fact made all the more frustrating by Zerafa relentlessly chasing a clash with Tszyu for years.
"Honestly, I'm sick and tired of it. Get this kid here," Tszyu said.
Tim Tszyu is 'sick and tired' of the talk coming out of Michael Zerafa's camp. Getty
"He's talked too much crap, he's said enough. Look, I just want one thing. To get him in the ring here in Newcastle.
"He's been talking it up and he's been chasing me, following me around for the last three years. Couldn't get my name out of this mouth and it's finally come to it. Now they're making all this random bullshit up.
"There's too many people in his ear saying different things and he's getting opinions from different things. Michael if you're watching just listen to yourself bro, just come here, let's get it on. Let's do what all the Aussie fans want to see and bring the fight here."
With the COVID situation currently in better shape in Victoria, the Zerafa camp will need to gain confirmation about their passage back into their home state after the fight and are currently loathe to leave.
Boxers Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa face off at a press conference at The Star Casino. James Alcock/Sydney Morning Herald
It's understood members of the team are concerned the outbreak may spread. Team Zerafa wouldn't need an exemption to travel to Newcastle but would need one to return to Victoria.
It's just the latest chapter in the pre-fight theatrics ahead of the highly anticipated July 7 showdown.
It kicked up a notch last week when Zerafa made a slight on Tszyu's father's name, Kostya, branding himself Mickey Hatton – a reference to Ricky Hatton, the fighter who ended Kostya's career.
While Zerafa insisted it was never meant to be taken as a sign of disrespect on the Aussie boxing great, the damage appears to be done with Tszyu arguably the most vitriolic he's seemed ahead of a fight.
"I'm here for one purpose and that's to bash Michael Zerafa," Tszyu said.
"This one is going to be sweet, just for the fact that this guy is a loud mouth. He's not liked here in Australia, that's for sure.
"This isn't just for myself, this is for everyone in Australia that dislikes this man."
