'Tszyucastle' in the mix to host another big Tszyu fight

Boxer Tim Tszyu's up-coming fight against world-ranked Japanese challenger Takeshi Inoue next month has been aborted on the Gold Coast due to quarantine restrictions with Newcastle now a contender to host the event.

Tszyu's promoter Matt Rose last night told the Newcastle Herald the fight will now be staged at either the Newcastle Entertainment Centre or in Sydney on November 17 following it's relocation.

On the move: Tim Tszyu's fight next month has been moved from the Gold Coast due to COVID restrictions.

Rose said a number of venues in Sydney including Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Convention Centre and the Hordern Pavilion were in the mix along with the Newcastle Ent Cent.

"I reckon it's 50/50 at this stage whether we take it back up to Newcastle or have it in Sydney," Rose said.

"It was only yesterday that we unfortunately had to abort having it on the Gold Coast because of the quarantine restrictions that just made it too hard for everyone. So we just need to sit down tonight and have a close look at everything and see where's best for the fight and make a decision.

"We'd have no qualms going back to Newcastle. Tim's had his last two fights there and loves it up there and as you know, we'd have no trouble selling tickets on short notice. Whether selling them down here [in Sydney] with only four weeks notice could be an issue is something we'll needed to consider."

Tszyu has had enormous support at 'Tszyucastle' for his recent wins over Dennis Hogan and Steve Spark and would certainly attract a full-house again should he return. But the much larger 20,000-seat capacity at Qudos Bank Arena may prove to be the clincher, given the Ent Cent holds 6000 and numbers are likely to be restricted to 50 percent because of COVID.

Tszyu (19-0, 14KO), is ranked No.1 by the WBO and will snare a world-title fight against champion Brian Castano if he beats Inoue.

Inoue (17-1-1), is ranked No.7 by the WBO with his only defeat coming when he was beaten on points by then world champion Jamie Munguia in a title fight back in 2019.

"He's tough with a chin like granite so Tim will know he's been in a fight," Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings said.