The self-appointed nickname is a reference to Ricky Hatton – the man who ended Kostya Tszyu's legendary career with a devastating 2005 stoppage.<\/p>\n
Zerafa (28-4, 17 KOs) seemed to suggest that he wanted to bring the same fate to Kostya's son, ending his blossoming career. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The jab seemed to rub not only Tszyu, but fight fans, the wrong way for a disrespectful slight to one of the most respected names in Australian boxing. <\/p>\n
But speaking in the aftermath of his comments, Zerafa explained that his pre-fight theatrics were not intended to be a personal attack on the Tszyu family name, moreover, they were a comment on the stylistic matchup. <\/p>\n
"Again, I said even in the interview yesterday that it wasn\u2019t a personal attack and Timmy even said it wasn\u2019t personal, I know Michael didn\u2019t mean it," Zerafa told SEN Radio.<\/p>\n
"There was nothing about him or his family it was just about stylistically between him and his dad, they\u2019re very similar. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"The way to beat him was how Ricky Hatton fought him, which was walk forward.\n<\/p>\n
"I just said it was Micky Hatton, referring to the fight obviously the great legend Kostya and Ricky Hatton\u2019s fight."<\/p>\n
Zerafa believes the situation, however, has shown a crack in Tszyu's steely exterior, intrigued by how easily his rival seemed to be offended by the sledge. <\/p>\n
"I got under his skin definitely, and again it wasn't a personal attack," Zerafa said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
"But to see him get rattled by something so small surprised me to be honest.<\/p>\n
"If it's that easy to get under his skin, you know July 7th, it's going to be a hard night for him."<\/p>\n
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