Nikita Tszyu Breaks Silence on Zerafa’s ‘Micky Hatton’ Taunt — “What My Dad Went Through Was Hard to Watch”

For Nikita Tszyu, boxing has always been more than just a sport — it’s a family legacy written in sweat, sacrifice, and respect. But it’s also a legacy marked by moments of deep pain, moments when words cut deeper than punches ever could.

Now, the younger Tszyu has finally spoken about one such moment — the infamous “Micky Hatton” sledge from fellow boxer Michael Zerafa, aimed at his father, the legendary Kostya Tszyu.

“What my dad had to go through in that fight, it was one of the hardest things to watch,” Nikita told reporters this week. “To take a shot at that… it shows the type of character you are.”

It’s been nearly four years since those words — a cruel reference to Kostya’s 2005 loss to Ricky Hatton — but the wound clearly hasn’t healed. For the Tszyu family, it was more than just trash talk. It was personal.

A Sledge That Crossed the Line

To understand the pain, you have to understand the context.

Back in 2021, in the buildup to what was supposed to be a massive bout between Michael Zerafa and Tim Tszyu, Zerafa made headlines when he took a brutal verbal jab — not at Tim, but at his father, Kostya.

Referring to Kostya’s final professional fight — a punishing defeat at the hands of Britain’s Ricky Hatton — Zerafa mocked him as “Micky Hatton”, suggesting the Tszyu name had already been humbled before.

At the time, the comment was dismissed by some as standard pre-fight mind games. But for the Tszyus, it crossed an invisible line — the line between competition and cruelty.

“You can sell a fight without disrespect,” Nikita said. “When you bring family into it — especially someone who’s done so much for Australian boxing — that’s not banter. That’s low.”

The Pain of Watching a Father Fall

Kostya Tszyu isn’t just any fighter. He’s a legend — an undisputed light-welterweight world champion, a Hall of Famer, and one of Australia’s greatest athletes. But to his sons, he’s simply ‘Dad’ — the man who taught them discipline, humility, and the art of fighting with honor.

So when Zerafa dragged Kostya’s name into his taunts, it reopened old wounds for the family.

“That fight [against Hatton] was tough,” Nikita said quietly. “We were there. We saw what he went through. The pain, the sacrifice, the aftermath. It’s something that stays with you.”

For those who remember, Kostya’s final bout was a grueling test of endurance — a battle where pride met exhaustion. He retired in his corner after the 11th round, not because he lacked courage, but because his body simply couldn’t keep going.

To his sons, that moment was never a symbol of defeat. It was a symbol of humanity.

“That was the hardest thing to watch — not because he lost, but because he showed he was human. He gave everything. And to take a cheap shot at that? It’s unforgivable.”

Why Forgiveness Isn’t Coming

When asked if time had softened their feelings toward Zerafa, Nikita didn’t hesitate.

“No. We’ll never forgive that,” he said. “It’s not about hate. It’s about respect — something he didn’t show.”

The Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, have built their careers on discipline and professionalism, often refusing to engage in the kind of trash talk that fuels headlines. Their approach is rooted in the lessons their father instilled — fight with your fists, not your mouth.

“Dad always said, ‘Respect the sport. Respect your opponent.’ That’s how we were raised,” Nikita explained. “What Zerafa did was the opposite of that.”

Zerafa’s sledge didn’t just insult Kostya — it also became a rallying cry for the Tszyu camp. It lit a fire, fueling both brothers in and out of the ring.

Tim, of course, went on to climb the ranks and capture the WBO super welterweight world title, while Zerafa’s reputation took a hit following a series of controversies and cancellations.

“Karma has a way of sorting things out,” Nikita said. “You can talk all you want, but the ring tells the truth.”

The Aftermath of the 2021 Storm

Zerafa’s comment in 2021 sparked immediate backlash. Fans, promoters, and fighters condemned his words, calling them disrespectful and tasteless.

But what many didn’t know — until now — was the emotional aftermath within the Tszyu household.

“It hurt,” Nikita admitted. “Not just because it was aimed at Dad, but because we know what that moment meant for him — and for us. We were kids watching our hero give everything he had. To see someone mock that for attention? That stays with you.”

Since then, the Tszyus have largely avoided mentioning Zerafa, focusing instead on their own paths. But with Nikita’s recent comments, it’s clear the memory still lingers — not out of bitterness, but out of principle.

“We’ve moved on professionally,” he said. “But personally, we don’t forget.”

A Lesson in Character

For Nikita, this isn’t just about one insult. It’s about what it represents — the growing divide between showmanship and sportsmanship in modern boxing.

“Trash talk sells fights,” he acknowledged. “But there’s a line. And when you cross it, you show the world who you really are.”

The younger Tszyu believes boxing should never lose its core values — discipline, honor, and mutual respect, even between rivals.

“Fighters bleed the same blood. We all know the risk. So when you disrespect that, you disrespect the sport itself.”

The Legacy Continues

Despite the controversy, the Tszyu family legacy remains untarnished. Kostya is still revered globally, Tim is a world champion, and Nikita — undefeated and quickly rising — is proving to be a force in his own right.

Still, Nikita carries his father’s lessons everywhere he goes — both in and out of the ring.

“Dad doesn’t need defending,” he said. “His record, his legacy — they speak for themselves. But as his son, I’ll always stand up for him.”

He pauses, then adds, “That’s what family is about.”

More Than a Fight

Nearly four years later, the “Micky Hatton” sledge is a reminder that boxing, like life, is about more than just winning or losing. It’s about the values passed down through generations — the quiet strength, the respect, the love that fuels every punch.

“At the end of the day,” Nikita said, “it’s not about revenge. It’s about never forgetting who you are — and what you stand for.”

For the Tszyus, that means fighting with honor.

And for Michael Zerafa, it means living with the consequences of a comment that one family — and one nation of fight fans — will never forget.