Tim Tszyu knocks out Denis Hogan in fifth round in Newcastle

In one of the most dominant performances of his career, Tszyu took control of the fight from the third round before knocking his Irish opponent down with a left uppercut early in the fifth.

That was the beginning of the end for Hogan with the Irishman already reeling from a series of body rips in the fourth round.

The relentless Tszyu, who stalked his opponent from the opening bell, continued to pour on the pressure, hurting Hogan with more shots to the body and heavy right hands before Hogan's corner threw in the towel.

Hogan looked strong early with an accidental head clash opening up a cut around Tszyu's left eye in the second round. The Irishman had some joy with his jab during the round and may have pinched it from the Australian after an even opening round.

But once the 26-year-old Australian got into his stride in the third, it was only ever going to be a matter of time.

It was an outstanding performance from Tszyu with the experienced Hogan a two-time world title challenger.

In the end though, he was no match for the ever-improving Tszyu, who extended his unbeaten record to 18-0 with the victory.

Immediately after the fight before leaving the ring, Hogan told his conqueror: "The hype is real".

Tszyu is now eyeing off potential world title fights against two super welterweight champions Jermell Charlo {WBC,WBA,IBF] and Brian Castano [WBO] but may take another fight beforehand with the Charlo and Castano camps talking about a match-up to potentially unify the belts.

Given the rousing reception and support he received from the Newcastle faithful at the Ent Cent where his father Kostya fought seven times during his illustrious career, there is every chance Tszyu will return again.

Tszyu paid tribute to the pumping Newcastle crowd immediately after the win, declaring it wouldn't be the last time he would fight in the city.

"I've been all around Australia and this is the best place I've been to," Tszyu told the Newcastle crowd.

The bout was in doubt in the hours leading up to the fight with Hogan adamant he wouldn't enter the ring unless he was allowed to wear the logo of sponsor Pointsbet on his shorts.

In the end, the promoters, No Limit Boxing, relented but the Irishman must have been wishing after the punishment Tszyu dished out he had stayed in his dressingroom .

The fight attracted some big name rugby league identities including Knights greats Matthew and Andrew Johns, current South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, Eels utility Will Smith and Wests Tigers centre james Roberts

On the undercard, Jason Fawcett won a unanamous points decision over Alex Carioti, local Newcastle boxer Darkon Dryden stopped Jason Medawar in the second round while Mateo Tapia won the vacant WBA Oceania super middleweight belt after he floored Renold Quinlan in the fourth round before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Newcastle-based Sakio Bika won an eight round war over Sam Soliman by unanamous points decision in their bout before Maitland's Tyson Lantry took a beating before his corner threw in the towel in the seventh round against Paul Fleming.

In the main support bout, Gunnedah's Wade Ryan overcame Koen Mazoudier with the referee stopping the fight in the final round after a sensational 10-round battle between the pair.

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