The pair are set to meet in Newcastle on Wednesday night and went through their paces in the traditional pre-fight open workouts at Charlestown Square, with COVID protocols delaying Hogan's arrival from Brisbane.

It meant Tszyu, unquestionably the promotional A-side, took to the ring first, flipping what will be the walkout order on fight night. Like he is about most things, Tszyu was unfazed by the development but Hogan, somewhat tongue in cheek, said he'll take it as a win.

"With COVID screening it took us ages to get through," Hogan said.

"I was very relaxed the the whole time so I'll take that as a little win for today. I know he's going to try and do that to me in the ring walk so I'm glad it happened. I'll be standing there holding the ropes open waiting for him. I can't wait to punch on."

The desire is in part fuelled by an enforced 15-month lay-off due to COVID-19 slamming the door shut on international bouts, leaving the 28-3-1 36-year-old stewing on consecutive losses for the only time in his career.

Both came in world title bouts, the first a widely disputed majority decision loss to Mexican WBO champion Jaime Munguia in April 2019. The second in December that year - a weight class above his natural junior middleweight - is the only stoppage defeat of his career to WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.

It's that level of competition that leaves him adamant the bout with Tszyu is not a step up despite him being an underdog with bookies and most pundits.

"It mystifies me but I understand what goes on in a sense," Hogan said.

"He's got those Manny Pacquiao points by way of [beating] Jeff [Horn] and he's won his last one by knockout. My last two on paper are losses for world championships and that's what people are going to look at for the most part.

"The people who know stuff and take everything into consideration... the WBC rankings have me ranked ahead of him. I would rather have that ranking ahead of any bookies [odds].

"Right now, I don't care about what anyone's saying or what words Timmy's reading off the teleprompter. None of that stuff annoys me, I'm glad he's had the career he's had and I'm glad everyone's doing well. Unfortunately for him I'm going to have to come and take that.

"That's what happened with Munguia after my fight with him. He was tipped as this massive superstar GGG, Canelo, everyone was going to fight him [now it's] quiet. They didn't give us the rematch and [it's gone] quiet. That's probably going to happen here again. We'll see who his real supporters are after this fight let me tell you."

Read more: Browne vows no second chances for Gallen in Wollongong showdown

Tszyu was his typically measured self when asked about Hogan's late arrival on Sunday, saying he's not at all concerned with A sides or anything like it.

"I didn't even notice," Tszyu said.

"I don't care. It's good I didn't have to wait for him, it doesn't matter who's first or second, I couldn't care less. Once you get in the ring it's you and your opponent, that's it. I prepare the same way, train hard fight hard and let my actions do the talking."

He's unsure if the tough-as-nails Irishman will be his biggest test to date but, after stopping his last opponent Bowyn Morgan inside the first round, he hopes it proves the case.

"I did it way too quick but I wasn't complaining," Tszyu said.

"I'm hoping [Hogan] brings something different, I want to be put in a position where it's hard hard and make it look easy, that's my goal. Before the Horn fight everyone was saying this and that and I just showed 'I'll make it look easy'. I loved it. This is the exact same situation.

"He'll come out blazing, he'll come out with plenty of punches, plenty of activity, he'll be moving around, dancing around. I'll wait for him to stop and punch his head in.

"This is cleaning out Australia, the guy's a world title challenger, he's up there in the world rankings, he's fought the very best so this is another challenge."

It appears likely to be Tszyu's last domestic fight before he takes on the international scene though fellow Aussie Michael Zerafa has been vocal in his pitch for a bout.

The Victorian managed a convincing, though largely panned, first-round stoppage of faded legend Anthony Mundine a fortnight ago and Tszyu said it's not the type of performance that grabbed his attention.

"Choc's 46 years old, he's an actual grandfather," Tsyzu said.

"Anyone can look good punching a punching bag or doing pads. It's the same thing, an old man fighting against a young man. It's not right.

"He's calling out AFL players as well so the guy's in a circus in his own mind. I let him be, I don't give him much attention. I've got this fight to take care of first and we'll see what happens."