One of the most anticipated showdowns in Australian boxing will not happen after Michael Zerafa pulled out of next week's fight with Tim Tszyu.
Zerafa backed out of the fight after his team cited concerns over COVID-19 restrictions between Victoria and New South Wales, leaving promoters scrambling to fill the main event.
Young prospect Steve Spark — who has a 12-1 record with 11 knockouts — has stepped up to face Tszyu.
Next Wednesday's card will be held in Newcastle, which meant Zerafa, who lives in Victoria, would need to self-isolate when he returned home until he received a negative COVID test.
But his team flagged concerns in recent days that stricter COVID-19 restrictions could be put in place while they were in Newcastle, which would lead to a 14-day quarantine.
The promoters had an alternate theory for the cancellation.
"He never wanted this fight and all I can say is I'm sorry for everyone who has wanted this fight for so long."
Tszyu will now face Spark in the main event of next Wednesday's card.
Spark last fought in April on the under-card of Paul Gallen and Lucas Brown, and won a points decision against Jack Brubaker.
The 24-year-old moved up to welterweight for the fight and was knocked down in the first round but rallied to take the decision.
He now faces by far the biggest test of his career against Tszyu.
The undefeated 26-year-old has stopped his last four opponents, including former world champion Jeff Horn last August, and Dennis Hogan in his last fight back in March.
"We said rain hail or shine, Tim Tszyu was fighting in Newcastle on July 7 and that's exactly what's going to happen," Rose said.
"Full credit to Steve Spark for taking this fight at short notice. We know he is going to make for an incredibly difficult fight for Tim."
