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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 Tszyu (12-0, 10 KOs) comes in as the favourite and one of Aussie boxing\u2019s biggest drawcards, but Mahoney (17-0-1, 9 KOs) brings considerably more experience and, importantly, has never been beaten.<\/p>\n And with a potential shot at IBF champion Josh Kelly waiting on the other side \u2013 not to mention some huge names already being discussed for Tszyu \u2013 there is plenty riding on this one.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know ahead of Nikita Tszyu versus Ben Mahoney.<\/p>\n WHEN IS TSZYU VS MAHONEY?<\/p>\n Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney takes place on Wednesday, August 26 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.<\/p>\n The prelims begin from 5pm AEST, before the main card gets underway from 7pm AEST.<\/p>\n HOW TO WATCH TSZYU VS MAHONEY<\/p>\n The prelims will be shown live on Kayo Sports and Fox Sports from 5pm AEST.<\/a><\/p>\n The main card then begins from 7pm AEST, live on Kayo Sports and Main Event.<\/a><\/p>\n Fox Sports Australia will also be running a live blog on the night.<\/p>\n Nikita Tszyu and Ben MahoneySource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n WHAT IS AT STAKE?<\/p>\n A whole lot.<\/p>\n Tszyu-Mahoney is officially an IBF super-welterweight world title eliminator, with the winner earning the opportunity to move towards a showdown with reigning IBF champ Josh Kelly.<\/p>\n For Tszyu, a win would also keep alive several potentially massive fights that are already being discussed for his future.<\/p>\n The Butcher has been linked with former world champions Keith Thurman and Tony Harrison, but all of that becomes considerably less relevant if he cannot first get past Mahoney.<\/p>\n For Mahoney, meanwhile, Wednesday night is the opportunity to set fire to those plans entirely.<\/p>\n The former Muay Thai champion has spent a decade working his way through the Aussie boxing scene and now gets the chance to transform his career with one win.<\/p>\n WHAT\u2019S BEEN SAID?<\/p>\n There has been plenty of respect between Tszyu and Mahoney in the build-up \u2013 although that hasn\u2019t stopped either man from identifying exactly where they believe they have the edge.<\/p>\n Tszyu has described Mahoney as potentially the most skilled opponent of his career and a measuring stick for his own world title ambitions.<\/p>\n \u201cBen Mahoney is probably the most technical fighter I\u2019ve ever had to face, and I\u2019ve always viewed him as the guy I need to beat to get to the world stage,\u201d Tszyu said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to be hard, and I have to be really prepared for it.\u201d<\/p>\n And while Tszyu admits he likes Mahoney outside the ring, that relationship goes right out the window once the bell goes.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, he\u2019s a nice guy. But it won\u2019t mean anything on fight night,\u201d Tszyu said.<\/p>\n \u201cI flick the switch and he\u2019s standing in the way of everything I\u2019ve worked so hard for.\u201d<\/p>\n Mahoney has been equally complimentary about Tszyu\u2019s strengths – describing him as \u201cbig, strong, explosive\u201d – but has also made clear he sees weaknesses in \u2018The Butcher\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s 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,\u201d Mahoney said.<\/p>\n And while the bookmakers have Mahoney as a sizeable underdog, the Gold Coast local insisted at Monday\u2019s final press conference that those inside boxing see the fight very differently.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people that know me, the people that have worked with me and the people in boxing have me as the favourite,\u201d Mahoney said.<\/p>\n Tszyu & Mahoney meet on the Gold Coast | 00:59<\/p>\n WHAT DOES KOEN MAZOUDIER THINK?<\/p>\n There may not be anyone better placed to assess this fight than Koen Mazoudier.<\/p>\n The Sydneysider has shared the ring with both men, fighting Mahoney to a draw in 2023 before going nine brutal rounds with Tszyu the following year.<\/p>\n Tszyu eventually stopped Mazoudier in the ninth round of that 2024 thriller.<\/p>\n And when asked by Fox Sports Australia last week to pick Wednesday night\u2019s winner, Mazoudier didn\u2019t need much time to think about it.<\/p>\n \u201cI see Nikita crushing him,\u201d Mazoudier told Fox Sports Australia.<\/p>\n Mazoudier believes Mahoney has the ability to make things difficult, but ultimately expects Tszyu\u2019s pressure and physicality to prove too much.<\/p>\n His tip on how it finishes?<\/p>\n Tszyu by stoppage.<\/p>\n Mazoudier will also have some business of his own to take care of on Wednesday night, with the Blacktown talent facing Sam Beck in his first fight at middleweight.<\/p>\n And there is plenty riding on that one, too.<\/p>\n No Limit boss George Rose revealed on Monday that should Mazoudier get past Beck, he will fight former world champion Jermall Charlo next.<\/p>\n MORE BOXING:<\/p>\n \u2018His f***ing mum\u2019s backyard\u2019: How Aussie got second shot at boxing superstar after crushing twist<\/a><\/p>\n