Nyika v Masson | Saturday August 8 from 5pm AEST | One of the biggest nights in New Zealand boxing in recent years is coming to Auckland. Headlined by an official IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator at Auckland\u2019s Eventfinda Stadium on Saturday 8 August 2026. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n While the exchange remained largely respectful, the Aussie couldn\u2019t resist taking a jab at Savage\u2019s appearance. <\/p>\n \u201cHe says this is the best camp he\u2019s done,\u201d said Teremoana<\/p>\n \u201cBut his cheeks don\u2019t be saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n The showdown comes after Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn revealed to Fox Sports Australia just how difficult it had been to secure an opponent<\/a> for the rising Australian heavyweight.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, Hearn said he had offered several local fighters up to five times their biggest career payday, only for each of them to turn the fight down.<\/p>\n Now Teremoana finally has his man.<\/p>\n The Aussie Olympian takes an unbeaten record of 11-0 (11 KOs) into the fight, with the vast majority of those stoppages coming inside the opening round.<\/p>\n Teremoana Teremoana and DeAndre SavageSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Savage, meanwhile, holds a 11-1 record, with all 11 of his victories coming by knockout, setting up what looks to be an explosive contest.<\/p>\n Despite Savage\u2019s knockout record, Teremoana believes the American\u2019s biggest weakness isn\u2019t his power \u2013 it\u2019s his fitness. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s durable and I like the way he fights,\u201d said Teremoana.<\/p>\n \u201cBut from what I saw when he lost against Brandon Moore he doesn\u2019t have the fitness to go the rounds with me.<\/p>\n \u201cHis only chance with me is to knock me out.\u201d<\/p>\n Savage, however, has no intention of letting the fight go that long. <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see this fight going the distance at all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming to do what I do. I\u2019m going to knock Teremoana down.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether his own chin would stand up to the towering Australian\u2019s power, Savage was full of confidence. <\/p>\n \u201cMy chin is great,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cIm going to test his chin. I\u2019m here to stay. I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n Teremoana Teremoana during the Heavyweight bout against Bowie Tupou. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n Savage can talk about ending the fight early all he likes, but Teremoana insists he\u2019s done the hard work and is ready to take care of business.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take care of whoever is put in front of me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad Deandre has taken the step forward to take the challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cHe believes he can win \u2013 yeah, every dog has its day.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019ve prepared well for this and I\u2019m prepared to take out the world title when that challenge comes.<\/p>\n \u201cFor now, I\u2019m purely focused on August 12th.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ve got all the attributes to take care of Savage on that night.\u201d<\/p>\n Savage fired back, insisting he doesn\u2019t need another two weeks to prepare. <\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re ready,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIm ready to fight tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Teremoana grinned. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m keen to fight tomorrow too.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE BOXING:<\/p>\n \u2018Expect brutality\u2019: Big reveal over Nikita title eliminator… and likely answer to glaring Tim question<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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