Nikita Tszyu vs. Ben Mahoney | IBF Eliminator - August 26, 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

[giacomino]

Looks like a setup fight against an unknown local who hasn’t beaten anybody so Tszyu can “earn” a title shot against the lowest ranked belt-holder at 154. Nothing to see.

[margaret thatcher]

"ALL-AUSTRALIAN SHOWDOWN locked in au"

is two aussies fighting in australia that big of a deal ?

[MPW]

Looks like a setup fight against an unknown local who hasn’t beaten anybody so Tszyu can “earn” a title shot against the lowest ranked belt-holder at 154. Nothing to see.

I like Tszyu and think he has an upside, but I'm not sure he has really done anything to warrant being in a title eliminator fight, while Mahoney has done even less. It could be a good scrap, but I think the stakes are higher than they should be.

[giacomino]

Looks like a setup fight against an unknown local who hasn’t beaten anybody so Tszyu can “earn” a title shot against the lowest ranked belt-holder at 154. Nothing to see.

I like Tszyu and think he has an upside, but I'm not sure he has really done anything to warrant being in a title eliminator fight, while Mahoney has done even less. It could be a good scrap, but I think the stakes are higher than they should be.

Agree, Tszyu could use 4-5 fights against legit opponents to get him ready for a title shot. Beating up a local with a pretty record to “earn” a title shot against someone who has fought decent opposition may be too early.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nikita Tszyu-Ben Mahoney IBF eliminator on tap for Aug. 26

Nikita Tszyu-Ben Mahoney on August 26 marks a career-best challenge for both Australians, doubling as an IBF 154-pound eliminator.

Tszyu (12-0, 10 KOs) told The Ring earlier this year he was still a few fights away from world title contention and that rankings didn't accurately portray his standing at 154 pounds.

The 28-year-old faces the toughest task of his budding career against decade-long pro in Mahoney (17-0-1, 9 KOs), who won domestic honors before clinching and making two defenses of an IBF regional belt since January 2025.

Josh Kelly makes his first IBF junior middleweight title defense against Caoimhin Agyarko on the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga undercard this weekend and next month's winner will be maneuvered towards world title contention in 2027.

Tszyu is the sanctioning body's No. 7 contender. Mahoney sits two places back in latest update.

Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-1, 17 KOs) will face Brandon Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) in a final eliminator later this year, after the Russian's promoter Main Events won a May purse bid and plans to stage his return at home this summer.

Deep into Errol Spence-Tim Tszyu fight week, an official announcement with a venue and undercard information is expected in the coming weeks. Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide have been floated as potential host locations.

No Limit CEO George Rose said: "Nikita is the genuine star of Australian boxing, and now he’s got another world-rated Australian standing across from him with world title glory at stake ... it doesn't get any bigger than that.

"Ben Mahoney is as tough as they come. A lot of people thought this fight shouldn't happen, but these are two genuine fighters who back themselves, and the fans are the ones who reap the rewards.

"Expect brutality, raw power, absolute fireworks. Two undefeated Australians, ranked inside the world’s top 10, with everything on the line. This is what the sport is supposed to look like."

The development was first reported by Fox Sports Australia, which spoke to the 31-year-old last month after No Limit made Tasman Fighters-backed contender an offer he relished.

"Right now, I'm in my prime and the winner of this fight between Nikita and I, they'll then go on to massive things. I'm getting goosebumps just talking about it now and that's because I have such belief in what I can do.

"If Nikita or I wasn't ready to test ourselves with a fight like this, we shouldn't be doing this sport. He's a good fighter who is big, strong, explosive and comes in there to get his fights done ... but there are also a lot of holes in his game."

While Tszyu is an exciting, largely untested quantity, Mahoney feels his experience will pay dividends when they meet. He'll have height and reach advantages while having racked up almost double the completed rounds (102 to 57).

After stoppage wins over Oscar Diaz and Lulzim Ismaili – sandwiched between an anticlimactic Michael Zerafa affair – the onus will be on Tszyu to deliver an impressive display, stepping towards world-level opposition.

Mahoney scored a grueling 10-round points win over Dan Hill (7-3, 3 KOs) on the Jason Moloney-Andre Donovan undercard in April, two weeks before Tszyu's commanding display against Spain's then-unbeaten contender Diaz (16-1, 6 KOs).

"We've seen that when he fights tough, durable guys – fighters like Ben Horn and Koen Mazoudier – that power doesn't always do the damage it needs to. That's when he gets himself in trouble. I've got a great chin, I'm experienced, durable and move well. I also have power and am a lot smarter than these other guys [he's fought]."

[Ruthless-RKO]

[MPW]

I have to admit, I like the Tszyu-Mahoney fight as a test for both boxers. Tszyu is a raw but developing talent, while Mahoney is a battler who should test him. However, I just don't feel either one has done enough to have reached the point where they are fighting in a world title eliminator.

I am also intrigued by the Peters-Wells bout. Peters is highly regarded and many feel he has a tremendous upside, while Wells has beaten some quality opponents and his two losses (a SD and MD) are to tough-as-nails Tej Pratap Singh back in 2023.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nikita Tszyu eyes world stage after last Australian hurdle vs. Mahoney

Nikita Tszyu has made a solid name for himself in the Australian boxing circuit.

But bigger things may be in store for the second-generation fighter should Tszyu (12-0, 10 KOs) get past his next test against Ben Mahoney (17-0-1, 9 KOs) Wednesday at Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia.

The junior middleweight matchup is an IBF title eliminator, and a victory would get Tszyu closer to a crack at a crown currently held by Josh Kelly, as timing allows.

"For me this becomes the final step in the Australian side of things," Tszyu said during his media availability this week. "If I get past Mahoney, I've essentially done what I need to in the Australian scene; then I can continually progress into the world rankings and be getting better things.

“Mahoney is probably the most technical fighter I've ever had to face. I've always viewed him as the guy I need to beat to get to the world stage ... it's going to be hard and I have to be really prepared."

"The Butcher" is the younger son of Kostya Tszyu and brother of former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu, but held his own lately. His matchup against Mahoney marks a fourth appearance in 12 months.

Nikita has beaten the likes of previous unbeatens Lulzim Ismaili and Oscar Diaz in that time.

Sandwiched in between those stoppage victories for the 28-year-old southpaw was an anticlimactic clash against former world title challenger Michael Zerafa in January. Their fight ended prematurely at the start of round three after Zerafa told the ringside doctor he couldn't see following an accidental clash of heads.

Like Tszyu, Mahoney is Australian, and the 31-year-old has never fought outside of the country.

"It's just another name for me," Mahoney said. "This is about me cementing my last name and my legacy, and it's just timed out that we got someone of the Tszyu name, a massive name in itself, and lined up perfectly for this. Obviously, winning this can lead to a much bigger opportunity in a world title bout.

"He's good. He's got a stellar record, beaten good dudes, and proved he's a challenge. So, I'm excited for a nice hard fight. It's boxing — anything can happen. We're planning to get the win regardless."

Tszyu does not sound too concerned heading into his latest step up.

"A lot of the time they say the experience is going to be too much, be too big of a step, you shouldn't have taken this one," Tszyu said.

"But I've been victorious every single time, so it's nice being able to prove them wrong, and I'm going to get another one on top of them."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Date: August 26, 2026
Location: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre - Broadbeach, QLD, Australia
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports
Start Time: 7 pm AEST | 5 am ET | 2 am PT | 10 am BST

Main Card

12 Round IBF Super Welterweight Title Eliminator Bout
Nikita Tszyu (11-0, 9 KOs) vs. Ben Mahoney (15-0-1, 8 KOs)

10 Round Middleweight Bout
Blake Wells (13-2, 5 KOs) vs. Callum Peters (8-0, 7 KOs)

10 Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Kirra Ruston (9-0, 9 KOs) vs. Saundre Simmons (9-0, 9 KOs)

10 Round Middleweight Bout
Koen Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) vs. Sam Beck (8-1, 5 KOs)

6 Round Heavyweight Bout
Brandon Grach (6-1, 4 KOs) vs. Ike Pluto (5-3, 1 KO)

Preliminary Card

5 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Rahim Mundine (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Jae Larsen (1-1-1)

10 Round Super Middleweight Bout
Max Reeves (13-1-1, 8 KOs) vs. Oliver Firth (8-0, 7 KOs)

6 Round Featherweight Bout
Vegas Larfield (14-1, 10 KOs) vs. Jubert Buhat (9-0, 6 KOs)

4 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Callum Young (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Octavio Soares (0-2)

6 Round Welterweight Bout
Louise Creaven (5-2) vs. Thanchanok Phanan (21-15, 13 KOs)

4 Round Super Welterweight Bout
Luke Williams vs. Prem Rungtiwa (0-1)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Results

Prelims

Max Reeves def. Oliver Firth by TKO (R8, 0:20)
Rahim Mundine def. Jae Larsen by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Vegas Larfield def. Jubert Buhat by unanimous decision (59-55, 59-55, 59-55)
Luke Williams vs. Prem Rungtiwa – No Contest (doctor stoppage, R2)

Swing bouts

Louise Creaven def. Thanchanok Phanan by TKO (R3, 0:30)
Callum Young vs. Octavio Soares (canceled)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Main card

Live

Nikita Tszyu vs. Ben Mahoney

Callum Peters def. Blake Wells by TKO (R8)
Kirra Ruston def. Saundre Simmons by TKO (R1)
Koen Mazoudier def. Sam Beck by majority decision (95-95, 97-93, 96-94)
Brandon Grach def. Ike Pluto by split decision (58-55, 56-57, 57-56)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nikita Tszyu vs. Ben Mahoney – split draw (117-111, 113-115, 114-114)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nikita Tszyu held to a draw with Ben Mahoney and afterward Tszyu admits that he believed Mahoney “edged it.” Don’t see that often if ever. One judge scored it 117-111 for Tszyu, 115-113 for Mahoney and 114-114.

[giacomino]

Young Nikita isn’t ready for an alphabet title shot if he’s drawing with a local. He could use 4-5 fights in the US or Europe at this point

[margaret thatcher]

callum peters is the one to watch on this card, olympian with absolutely mad fitness/work rate and mix of shots, esp to the body. fun to watch. could tighten up his d though

[MPW]

Young Nikita isn’t ready for an alphabet title shot if he’s drawing with a local. He could use 4-5 fights in the US or Europe at this point

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. Neither fighter had done remotely enough to be fighting in a final eliminator for a world title shot. That doesn't mean they won't get there some day, just not right now.

[MPW]

callum peters is the one to watch on this card, olympian with absolutely mad fitness/work rate and mix of shots, esp to the body. fun to watch. could tighten up his d though

I agree with you and believe Peters has a tremendous upside. His work to the body certainly drained Wells' gas tank and set up the finish.

[handsofstone]

Just caught up with this one on dazn, good tussle, Tszyu strong and aggressive but Mahoney held his own