Tszyu has continued his climb towards a world title shot with a devastating fifth-round technical knockout win over Dennis Hogan at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.

A headbutt opened a cut above Tszyu's eye little under a minute into the second round, though it did nothing to derail the unbeaten super welterweight contender.

Tszyu hurt Hogan with a body shot late in the third, and more of the same late in the fourth led promoter Matt Rose to jump from his chair and declare "that's it".

Hogan would last those fleeting final seconds of the round, but cornerman Stephen Edwards proclaimed "another round like that and I'm stopping it".

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He would be forced to do just that. Tszyu dropped Hogan 47 seconds into the fifth round and the towel would be thrown at the 2.29 mark of the round.

"My dad was an undisputed world champion for 10 years, what have I done? Give me a few years. I've got a long way to go," Tszyu said.

"My comparisons and my goals are out of this world, and that's what I'm going to be striving for. I just spoke to [dad] just then. I couldn't hear him too much but he was pretty happy.

"We're at that stage where I do believe I can compete with the big boys. Charlo got rid of Hogan in seven, I did it in five. I want an international fight, I want to be recognised globally.

"I want to be a global boxing star, that's my goal and it's always been my goal. I need those big names."

Tszyu's path to date has been crafted expertly by his promoters at No Limit Boxing. The 26-year-old has had 18 fights for 18 wins, each just as tough if not tougher than the last.

Now comes the biggest step yet. Tszyu's ranking as the WBO's No.1 contender means he is potentially one step away from a shot at champion Brian Castano.

All three of the other major world titles are held by Jermell Charlo, potentially opening the door for a unification bout with the WBA, WBC and IBF champion.

It means Team Tszyu and No Limit now face the world of boxing politics in their bid to crown a new champion.

"In a perfect world we'd love the straps," Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings said.

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"There's not too many of those names that are of any concern. Tim once again showed whilst plenty will say he's not at the right level, he keeps winning.

"They know overseas where Timmy is at. The next stage for us is to plant him over there and show his style to the American market, and very quickly Tim Tszyu's name will be on the world stage.

"If it ends up being Castano and Charlo have it out, and Charlo wins, every chance Timmy will be mandatory for Charlo which would be a unification. It's all a political game, we'll see how it all falls. We will stay busy regardless, and we will be working from tomorrow on securing his next fight."

The event had all the theatrics you would expect for Australian boxing's biggest star. NRL star Latrell Mitchell banged on the dressing room door to call Tszyu to the ring.

Among those inside the near sold-out Newcastle venue in which Tszyu's father fought and won seven times were boxing names like Anthony Mundine and Will Tomlinson. So too Lucas Browne and Paul Gallen, who are closing in on a grudge match this month.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns sat alongside his brother Matthew Johns. NRL stars Mitchell and Cody Walker took pride of place one seat back from ringside. James Roberts, Tyrone Roberts and Will Smith were in the house. Mark Milligan of Socceroos fame took his seat, as did Newcastle Jet Ali Abbas.

All to watch Tszyu take a soul and take ownership of the kingdom.

AT A GLANCE

Steel City Showdown

WBO Global super welterweight title: Tim Tszyu [18-0] bt Dennis Hogan [28-4-1] via TKO (round five, 2.29)

WBA Oceania, IBO International super welterweight titles: Wade Ryan [18-9] bt Koen Mazoudier [8-2] via TKO (round 10, 2.30)

Super featherweight: Paul Fleming [27-0-1] bt Tyson Lantry [8-4] via TKO (round seven, 0.10)

Super middleweight: Sakio Bika [35-7] bt Sam Soliman [46-15-1] via unanimous decision (80-73, 79-73, 78-74)

WBA Oceania super middleweight title: Cesar Mateo Tapia [13-0] bt Renold Quinlan [12-8] via TKO (round four)

Super welterweight: Darkon Dryden [4-0] bt Jason Medawar [1-1] via TKO (round two)

Super welterweight: Jason Fawcett [1-0] v Alex Carioti [0-1] via unanimous decision (40-35, 40-35, 39-36)

Super flyweight: Linn Sandstrom [1-1] bt Felicity Loiterton [0-1] via unanimous decision (39-37, 39-37, 40-36)

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