Doubt was cast on the bout when Hogan sustained a nose injury while sparring, but Tszyu's manager, Novocastrian Glen Jennings, said he received a text message Saturday night from his promotor saying the Irishman was good to go.

"They didn't elaborate," Jennings said. "Apparently he was getting a scan or something, but they just basically said we're good to go.

"They are very cagey and don't want anyone to know the extent of anything, but that's fair. We'd do the same.

"It would take a lot for Dennis to pull out of a fight. Even if it was broken, fighters fight with broken noses everyday and generally it gets busted in the first round anyway. I was never too worried."

He said the good news came as tickets continued to sell well for the bout. He said his Sydney-based undefeated fighter was on track for the clash with the three-time world title challenger.

"I spent the day down there on Friday and training is coming along beautiful," he said. "He's in the right headspace. [Trainer] Igor [Goloubev] has got him working beautifully.

"Tim stays motivated at the best of times but we know this will be a tough fight and Tim will be 100 per cent ready and we're very confident."

Michael Zerafa, who fights Anthony Mundine on March 13, offered to take Hogan's spot just 30 days later, but Jennings said "it's not something we're considering".

"Michael comes out and says lots of stuff and this is the latest," he said.

"If [Zerafa] wanted to do it, he could do it, but it's not what you call an ideal preparation. But it's not something we are considering. We're just staying in our lane and focusing on our business. Michael doesn't get much attention from us in regards to that stuff.

"One fight at a time for us. Hogan is our next focus and who knows after that what's next."

Tszyu's father, multiple world champion Kostya Tszyu, fought seven times in Newcastle and was undefeated in the city.

Tim is unbeaten in 17 professional fights and will compete in Newcastle for the first time.

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