No Limit CEO George Rose has publicly debunked several whispers surrounding Nikita Tszyu’s next Australian pay-per-view headliner – while also confirming the withdrawal from his September showcase of an American knockout artist whose history includes being shot and jailed.
The revelation comes as Rose also stressed he had not ruled out Tim Tszyu fighting again before the year is out, or even having The Soul Taker eventually face Australia’s boxing bad boy Michael Zerafa himself in 2026.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the No Limit boss insisted no contracts have yet been signed for what is expected to be a blockbuster all-Australian grudge match between Nikita Tszyu and Zerafa in November.
While Rose confirmed both fighters have verbally expressed a willingness to throw down, there was still much to be confirmed between the three parties – most tellingly, exactly what weight the pair will compete at.
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >
Elsewhere, the promoter also revealed a major shake up to Liam Paro’s upcoming world title eliminator, which is set to take place at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena on September 18.
As part of an exciting undercard, hyped Australian prospect Paulo Aokuso is set to make his anticipated return to the No Limit stable – and is still being billed on Boxrec for a showdown with undefeated US prospect Casey Dixon.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal however that undefeated Atlanta native Dixon, 27, has been barred from entering the country.
Dixon turned pro in late 2021, with stories posted to social media explaining how the decision came after the former inmate wanted to change his life around following a troublesome past which, according to an Instagram post that pictures himself and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, involved being shot six times.
However, despite having since gone on an eye-catching undefeated through six fights – including five by KO – Rose confirmed the big punching American had been barred from entering the country.
Former boxer ‘Aussie Joe’ Bugner dies | 00:45
“We’ve got very strict laws here in Australia,” the promoter explained. “And obviously there are guys out there fighting on the world stage who do have a chequered past.
“We’ve had the issue pop up a couple of times before and, while that fight was going to be a really tough test for Paulo Aokuso, unfortunately it’s fallen through.
“But onto the next one.
“And I really like Paulo because he’s not only an exciting, flashy fighter, but he wants to challenge the best.
“He wants to take on everyone.
“This is a bloke who not only wants to put on a show, but wants the best.”
As a result of the Dixon withdrawal, Aokuso now faces Uzbekistan’s undefeated Shukhrat Abdullaev (5-0).
Elsewhere, Rose also gave an update on talks between Tszyu and Zerafa.
As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia in June, paperwork has been drawn up for the pair to throw down at the end of the year – with potential venues including Sydney’s CommBank Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
While Zerafa has said this week his contract is signed, Rose stressed that “I haven’t signed off on anything” – adding that there were still several issues that needed to be sorted through.
It is understood most debate still centres around what weight the pair will fight at, with Zerafa currently campaigning at middleweight, while Tszyu is a super welterweight.
As revealed several weeks ago, No Limit are also still keeping Brock Jarvis on standby in case talks fall over, and have given the Sydneysider a fight against Queensland’s Ken Aitken (11-2) on their September pay-per-view.
However, the Tszyu-Zerafa fight remains easily the clubhouse leader, and fight most favoured by fans.
“But there are still a few things to be finalised before a fight can be locked away,” Rose stressed.
“And that’s everything from date, weight and venue.
“But Michael is extremely confident when it comes to fighting Nikita Tszyu, and has been since the fight was first put however long ago.
“So while nothing is officially signed off, Michael has made it very clear that he’s both locked in and believes he beats both Nikita and Tim Tszyu … he’s happy to take both those fights.”
‘KO of the year!’: Till FOLDS Rockhold! | 01:03
Rose also confirmed the younger Tszyu had no issue with taking on Zerafa next.
“Nikita isn’t fussed about who he fights,” Rose said.
“He just wants to make sure he is 100 per cent ready.
“And that’s why it’s so exciting to be talking to the pair of them right now … both are so confident in their abilities, and are ready to go.
“(Laughs) We just have to get the date, weight and location sorted.”
Rose agrees the showdown would be the biggest test of the undefeated Tszyu’s career.
“Oh, 100 per cent,” he said.
“Zerafa has been a world ranked fighter for almost a decade, boasts almost 40 fights.
“He’s fought overseas, fought for world titles, fought some of the best guys in the world, so this is a massive step up for Nikita.
“But Nikita Tszyu is also the new star of Australian boxing.
“He’s a guy people genuinely like to sit down and watch too, because every time he fights you just don’t know what is going to happen.
“That’s how it has been for every one of his fights so far.
“He’s fought plenty of undefeated guys already, and now it’s somebody who has been one of our best for 10 years.”
Elsewhere, Rose also said No Limit has not ruled out Tim Tszyu eventually facing Zerafa, who famously walked out on a hyped 2021 showdown between the pair.
While the older Tszyu has previously said that fight will never happen, there have been suggestions more recently his feelings could be swayed – especially if Zerafa beats his younger brother.
“Whatever the outcome, I know Tim Tszyu will be watching that fight,” Rose said. “And he’s a very loving and protective big brother.
“So that fight could change the way he feels about facing Michael Zerafa.”
The Soul Taker is expected home from a Japanese holiday next week, and will sit down with both No Limit and manager Glen Jennings to discuss his future.
Asked what appetite American promoters PBC had of seeing The Soul Taker again, Rose replied: “They’d have him on tomorrow if they could.
“But when it happens? I don’t know.
“It all comes down to Tim Tszyu and when he’s ready to return.
“But one thing about us, we’re capable of putting on a show whenever Tim wants.
“If he comes home and decides he wants to fight soon, we can put it on.”