World title hopeful Tim Tszyu says Michael Zerafa is his "last option" and his main focus is snaring a top 10 opponent granted he beats Dennis Hogan in his super welterweight bout in Newcastle on Wednesday next week.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tszyu condemned Zerafa's fight with Anthony Mundine in Bendigo earlier this month, where the Victorian fighter called out the Sydneysider after the two-minute victory.
Zerafa demanded Tszyu "stop running" and step into the ring for a fight he claimed all Australian boxing fans wanted to see.
Tszyu said Zerafa's fight with the Mundine should never have happened and he won't be manipulated into a fight unless there's nothing else on the table.
"I find the whole thing about him is he's tryng to do a circus. He's trying to gain media attention," Tszyu told AAP.
"If it wasn't for me, who's he going to fight?
"He sees himself as this A-class fighter and a pay-per-view fighter and in reality he's not.
"He's trying to use his mouth to get the fight.
"If there's nothing else on the table, then we'll pursue that.
"You don't get an opportunity by beating a 47-year-old grandfather. Let's just say that."
Tszyu said he has plans on challenging himself against bigger name fighters on the world stage.
"I've got top-10 options that I'm going for. The world title opportunities, the Liam Smiths, the (Magomed) Kurbanovs, the Danny Garcias, they're the boys I want.
"They're the big boys in the division that I want to play with.
"We got offered the Mundine fight and I said straight away it's not happening.
"It's disrespectful for Mundine. He's a grandfather, he's 47 years old. Who does that? There's a time when just enough's enough."
The undefeated star's goal is to fight Argentina's WBO belt holder Brian Castano or potentially American Jermell Charlo. As for Hogan, Tszyu said his objective against the Irishman
In the meantime, he's biding his time and says his objective against Hogan is simple.
"Just knock him out. Whoever stands in my way, just to take them out," Tszyu said.
"I'm improving as a fighter, I get better each time and I've been proving that to everyone.
"I'm targeting the big boys in the division. I'm going to get the opportunity to fight one of those guys soon, so I've got to be a hundred per cent ready."
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