Nikita Tszyu has revealed who his older brother should face next – and who he should avoid – as Australia’s No.1 fight family suddenly stares down the prospect of having two world champions sometime in 2027.

Long ranked among the nation’s most exciting fight prospects, 28-year-old Nikita is now making final preparations for next Wednesday’s IBF world title eliminator against fellow undefeated Aussie Ben Mahoney.

The pair also sit among the top five contenders for reigning IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly.

Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Tim Tszyu, meanwhile, is currently holidaying in Japan after recently securing the biggest win of his career against American superstar Errol Spence Jnr.

While promoters No Limit have not confirmed who his next fight will be against, there has been plenty of talk around the huge bouts that could be coming.

Then earlier this week, Jermell Charlo went and declared it will be him who is next fight up against ‘The Phoenix’, suggesting discussions are so advanced that only a location now needs to be sorted out.

However, there have also been separate reports out of the US suggesting a bout between Tszyu and WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara is in the works.

Of course, there is even a chance both statements could be true, with Charlo potentially being saved for the winner of a championship battle at 160 pounds between Tszyu and Lara.

Yet when asked by Fox Sports Australia this week to play matchmaker for his brother, Nikita Tszyu didn’t hesitate.

“Jermell Charlo is the better fight for Tim,” the rising star replied. “And I do think Tim can beat him.

“Of course, it does depend on which Tim shows up. And it’s also hard to say what Charlo will bring because he hasn’t been active for several years … but personally, I’d still pick Charlo.”

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While Tim Tszyu and Charlo have been angling to fight for years, there is also now an opportunity for the Sydneysider to join an elite group of Australians to have won world titles in two weight classes – including Jeff Fenech, Danny Green and Liam Paro.

With the elder Tszyu having declared he is now moving permanently to middleweight, the champion being talked about most is Lara – who seems a strong target given he is aged 43, and boasts only three defences in the past four years.

Nikita, however, isn’t so sure.

“Because Lara, he’s a very tricky fighter to go up against,” he said this week. “The guy is really experienced, incredibly technical and has very good distance management.

“People underestimate him because of his age.

“They think ‘oh, he’s an old man, I can take him’. But he has some serious skill.

“A lifetime of work.

“He has that Cuban southpaw style. And it’s a defensive style too, which means he hasn’t taken too much punishment throughout his career.

“Although he’s older, he hasn’t taken a lot of wear and tear.

“He’s aged like Floyd Mayweather. Is still really sharp.”

Erislandy Lara.Source: Getty Images

Which isn’t to say Nikita doesn’t believe his brother could get it done.

“Tim’s youth could prove too much for sure,” he said. “But still, Lara is tricky. And a tough fighter to prepare for.

“I don’t know how that one would go.”

In a separate interview with Fox Sport News’ Dane Lillingstone, Nikita also talked about the prospect of his brother punching on with Charlo – and four years after the pair were initially supposed to throw down.

Tim Tszyu was originally scheduled to challenge for Charlo’s undisputed super welterweight crown in early 2023, only for the American to withdraw after suffering a broken hand in training.

Then in a second twist, and when the pair were again being touted for a showdown, Charlo instead jumped two divisions to challenge Mexican megastar Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed super middleweight throne.

Earlier this week however, Charlo suggested he and powerful boxing adviser Al Haymon are already in talks with Team Tszyu, with things advanced enough that they are now finalising where said bout will be held.

“I talked to Al myself and I’m [fighting] Tim next,” Charlo told boxing reporter Lance Pugmire. “Working on location.”

Asked his thoughts on big brother getting Charlo, Nikita said: “Well, it’s a fight they were meant to have quite a while ago. And I think it’s the perfect fight for him. One where he finally gets to settle that game plan that he initially had.”

Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Jermell Charlo.Source: Getty Images

And as for reports the younger Tszyu could, with a win over Mahoney, be fighting himself in the US this December?

“I couldn’t care less,” he shrugged. “Whatever my promoters want to do. I’m simply a soldier that takes orders. Where we’re going. Where we’re fighting.”

Earlier, he also played down the huge implications surrounding next Wednesday’s headliner.

“For me it’s still just a fight,” he stressed. “I don’t think too far ahead into rankings. The way my head is wired, I’ve got someone who wants to hurt me. And I want to hurt him.

“So I’ve just got to punch on with him. And beat him.”

Tszyu added he also expects no trash talk between himself and Mahoney, continuing: “There’s no need to be disrespectful.

“I know it brings more attention. Is more entertaining. But I don’t have the energy for it. And I don’t know how people can be bothered being so aggressive.”