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 This weekend, \u2018Destroyer\u2019 locks horns with unbeaten Canadian Olympian Tamm Thibeault in Orlando, looking to back up that title defence \u2013 and, true to form, she wouldn\u2019t have it any other way.<\/p>\n The card is headlined by fellow Aussie Cherneka Johnson\u2019s defence of her undisputed bantamweight world titles<\/a> against Denmark\u2019s Dina Thorslund.<\/p>\n The title fights will be shown live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports at no extra cost to subscribers.<\/p>\n Instead of putting her feet up, Robinson jumped at the chance to defend her belts again. <\/p>\n \u201cI just fought recently, so I haven\u2019t left fight camp,\u201d Robinson told Fox Sports Australia from Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve gone back to back fights. <\/p>\n \u201cI just defended my two world titles in El Paso, and we got offered to fight again and defend them again. <\/p>\n \u201cSo here we are again.\u201d<\/p>\n Aussie world champion Desley RobinsonSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n If Robinson wanted an easier assignment, she picked the wrong opponent. <\/p>\n Thibeault (4-0-0) enters the bout ranked No.1 by the WBA, IBF and WBO, and No.4 by the WBC, with one of the most decorated amateur backgrounds in women\u2019s boxing.<\/p>\n The Canadian represented her country at two Olympic Games and claimed gold medals at the 2022 World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games.<\/p>\n And if her resume wasn\u2019t intimidating enough, Thibeault is also a towering southpaw with a noticeable height and reach advantage. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve obviously fought a Southpaw before, but not at this sort of level,\u201d said Robinson.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fairly tall. And to come up against someone who\u2019s a bit taller than me is different.<\/p>\n \u201cBut she does sit quite low when she fights. So yeah, when we fight, we\u2019re going to be the same sort of height. <\/p>\n \u201cBut she has got a long reach, and she does tend to use that to her advantage. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a tricky fight.\u201d<\/p>\n There has been no war of words between the pair during fight week. <\/p>\n Both women have spoken respectfully of each other \u2013 although Robinson knows that will go out the window once the bell rings. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been no words said,\u201d said Robinson.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously I\u2019m not her friend until the fight\u2019s over, and definitely not her friend in the ring because she\u2019s coming to take my hard work.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to let that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n The feeling is mutual. <\/p>\n \u201cSunday, August 9 can\u2019t come soon enough,\u201d said Thibeault. <\/p>\n Aussie world champion Desley Robinson pictured against Mary SpencerSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n \u201cDesley Robinson is a tremendous champion and Australia should be proud of what she\u2019s accomplished. I know exactly how difficult it is to reach the top of this sport, and I have a lot of respect for her journey.<\/p>\n \u201cBut respect only goes so far when the bell rings.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m preparing mentally and physically for the toughest fight of my career, and I\u2019m ready to go to war if that\u2019s what it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n Robinson\u2019s last outing against Spencer earned her a dominant decision victory and a $20,000 Performance of the Night bonus.<\/p>\n She\u2019s hoping lightning strikes twice.<\/p>\n \u201cI need a new car or a bigger boat,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it [the bonus system] definitely gives you a good incentive to go hard and make a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I do feel as an Australian fighting in America I need to make a statement. You know, be recognized a little bit more and get my name out there.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE BOXING:<\/p>\n Not my problem\u2019: Aussie boxing queen\u2019s blunt call over rival with \u2018chip on her shoulder\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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