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<\/p>\nKoen Mazoudier is in a position nobody else in Australian boxing can claim.<\/p>\n
He knows exactly what it feels like to share a ring with both Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney.<\/p>\n
And when it comes to picking a winner next Wednesday night, the Sydneysider doesn\u2019t need much time to think about it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI see Nikita crushing him,\u201d Mazoudier told Fox Sports Australia.<\/p>\n Yep, crushing him. <\/p>\n Tszyu and Mahoney will finally settle things next Wednesday night on the Gold Coast<\/a>, with the pair set to collide in a hugely important super-welterweight showdown.<\/p>\n Combined, the two fighters are unbeaten across 31 professional fights, with Tszyu currently ranked No.5 by the IBF and Mahoney sitting at No.7.<\/p>\n And with the top two spots in those same rankings currently vacant, No Limit has declared the all-Australian showdown a world title eliminator.<\/p>\n Nikita Tszyu, Koen Mazoudier and Ben MahoneySource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Which is why Mazoudier will have a particularly keen interest in proceedings.<\/p>\n The 30-year-old is the only fighter to have faced both men professionally, fighting Mahoney to a split-decision draw in 2023 before going on to meet Tszyu in a brutal Australian title fight the following year.<\/p>\n Mazoudier pushed Tszyu deep into that contest before eventually being stopped in the ninth round.<\/p>\n And having experienced both men first-hand, he believes there is a clear difference between them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe version of me that fought Nikita would absolutely kill the version of me that fought Mahoney,\u201d Mazoudier said.<\/p>\n \u201cI developed so much and I fought someone much better.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good match-up. It\u2019s a good match-up on paper. It\u2019s a good match-up for Australian boxing. And I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a whitewash by any means.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I do definitely think Nikita\u2019s a level or two above.\u201d<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean Mazoudier is expecting Mahoney to simply roll over.<\/p>\n The tough-as-nails Queenslander has waited years for an opportunity of this magnitude and Mazoudier believes the occasion could bring the best out of him.<\/p>\n \u201cMahoney loves the limelight, he loves to be the star, so he might perform the best he\u2019s performed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then it depends largely on Nikita \u2013 how his hands are, what sort of game plan he comes in with.<\/p>\n \u201cI think if Nikita goes at him with some pressure, he\u2019ll crush him.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he tries to box and lets Mahoney sort of be comfortable with a bit of range, he might be able to work his way through to a decision.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I can\u2019t see Mahoney beating Nikita.\u201d<\/p>\n Koen Mazoudier vs Nikita TszyuSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n Mazoudier also knows better than most what makes Tszyu so dangerous.<\/p>\n While the younger Tszyu has developed a reputation as one of Australian boxing\u2019s most destructive fighters, Mazoudier says there is more to \u201cThe Butcher\u2019s\u201d offence than raw punching power.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he\u2019s got power, but it\u2019s the timing of his power as well,\u201d Mazoudier said.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople don\u2019t appreciate the crispness of his boxing and his timing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was where he caught me. The shots that he hit me with didn\u2019t necessarily hurt me. One buckled my knees \u2013 they were good shots \u2013 but they weren\u2019t necessarily the biggest shots.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t feel rocked by them, but it\u2019s the sharpness of them.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I think that\u2019s a big aspect. It\u2019s not just his power, but it\u2019s his sharpness and his timing.\u201d<\/p>\n So does Mahoney hear the final bell?<\/p>\n Mazoudier isn\u2019t so sure.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m predicting a stoppage, but again, it largely comes down to what form Nikita is in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s had troubles with his hands and all that sort of stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain, some people lift. Some people crumble. I think Mahoney will lift.<\/p>\n \u201cSo my prediction would be a Nikita victory no matter what and I\u2019m probably 50-50 on the stoppage.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE BOXING:<\/p>\n \u2018Not in my league\u2019: Boxing bad boys collide as champ\u2019s sparring secret exposed \u2014 Ultimate Guide<\/a><\/p>\n