{"id":868511,"date":"2026-08-26T02:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/868511\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T02:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T02:00:12","slug":"boxing-2026-nikita-tszyu-v-ben-mahoney-ibf-world-title-eliminator-australias-10-best-fighters-ranked-pound-for-pound-power-rankings-latest-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/868511\/","title":{"rendered":"Boxing 2026: Nikita Tszyu v Ben Mahoney IBF world title eliminator, Australia\u2019s 10 best fighters ranked pound for pound, power rankings, latest news"},"content":{"rendered":"

Could Nikita Tszyu eventually surpass the boxing achievements of big brother Tim?<\/p>\n

Certainly it\u2019s a question worth asking.<\/p>\n

\ufeffTszyu 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

<\/p>\n

Especially now, as \u2018The Butcher\u2019 prepares for his IBF world title eliminator against fellow undefeated Aussie Ben Mahoney.<\/p>\n

Should Nikita win, he will be catapulted headlong into a world of big purses, belt opportunities, even a potential US debut this December against rivals like Keith \u2018One Time\u2019 Thurman. <\/p>\n

So on the eve of all this happening, Fox Sports Australia has ranked the nation\u2019s 10 best fighters pound for pound.<\/p>\n

And Nikita, unsurprisingly, is now sitting higher than ever before in his career \u2026<\/p>\n

Tszyu & Mahoney preview title eliminator | 07:30<\/p>\n

1. Jai Opetaia<\/p>\n

RECORD: 30-0, 23KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Cruiserweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Brandon Glanton, March 8<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: WBC champ Noel Mikaelian, Sep 12<\/p>\n

Ok, so Australia\u2019s cruiserweight king has endured a rough time of things lately — at least outside the ring — and doesn\u2019t even boast a major strap. Still, there\u2019s no doubt the big punching southpaw remains our No.1 talent. After being stripped of IBF gold in March, Opetaia is now readying to challenge WBC king, Noel Mikaelian. Elsewhere, a David Benavidez blockbuster remains in the offing, while there has also been talk of Opetaia headlining a Las Vegas card on the same weekend as the 2027 NRL season opens in Sin City. <\/p>\n

2. Liam Paro<\/p>\n

RECORD: 28-1, 16KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Welterweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Lewis Crocker, June 24<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

After spending years as Australia\u2019s ultimate road warrior, Paro is now staring down some of the sport\u2019s biggest names \u2013 think Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, even Ryan Garcia \u2013 after winning IBF gold. Expect the Queenslander to have a voluntary title defence at home later this year, and most likely October, before then gearing up for a massive bout in early 2027. While there has been talk of an all-Australian showdown against George Kambosos, Paro told us this week his preference is for a unification bout against new WBA champ Teofimo Lopez, who just took the belt from Rolly Romero.<\/p>\n

Tszyu v Mahoney: HEATED final face off | 05:53<\/p>\n

3. Tim Tszyu<\/p>\n

RECORD: 28-3, 18KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Middleweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Errol Spence Jnr, July 26<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s favourite fighter is back into the top three after securing an emphatic upset win over American superstar Errol Spence Jnr in July. Like Opetaia, Tszyu doesn\u2019t hold a major belt but earns this spot due to the strength of a resume that involves continually taking on the sport\u2019s biggest names. While No Limit would like Tszyu back fighting again this year, \u2018The Phoenix\u2019 would prefer to wait until 2027. Most likely opponents are American superstar Jermell Charlo and WBA middleweight king, Erislandy Lara.<\/p>\n

4. Andrew Maloney<\/p>\n

RECORD: 29-4, 18KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Super Flyweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (MD12) Willibaldo Garcia Perez, June 6<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

Given he is now IBF super flyweight champ, there\u2019s a genuine argument for Moloney sitting higher on this list. Of course, given he doubles as the nicest bloke in Australian boxing, it\u2019s also guaranteed \u2018Monster\u2019 is the one bloke who won\u2019t ring us up to complain about wherever he gets put. Yet after briefly retiring from the sport following an emotional loss in 2024, Moloney\u2019s rise back to the top is one of the truly great fight stories of this year. His management team is in discussions for a big fight in Japan to close out the year.<\/p>\n

‘There’s no love’ Nikita ready for rival | 06:55<\/p>\n

5. Sam Goodman<\/p>\n

RECORD: 22-1, 8KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Super Bantamweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (UD12) Rodrigo Fabian Ruiz, May 5<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: Ryosuke Nishida, September 27<\/p>\n

With a workrate likened to Jeff Fenech, Goodman is now gunning to join \u2018The Marrickville Mauler\u2019 as one of our nation\u2019s world champions. Despite being cruelly removed from his Naoya Inoue blockbuster last year, and then losing a world title attempt up a division against Nick Ball, \u2018The Ghost\u2019 is now looking to finally achieve his lifetime dream \u2013 challenging Nishida for the interim IBF strap in Japan next month. <\/p>\n

6. Nikita Tszyu<\/p>\n

RECORD: 12-0, 10KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Super Welterweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (RTD6) Oscar Diaz, May 6<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: Ben Mahoney, Aug 26<\/p>\n

Only four years after walking away from a lucrative architecture career, \u2018The Butcher\u2019 has incredibly morphed into one of our most exciting \u2013 and intriguing \u2013 athletes. A win over Ben Mahoney on Wednesday night will likely see Tszyu go top three in at least two of the major divisions, while there is also talk of No Limit pitching him into a US debut by December \u2013 with Keith Thurman and Tony Harrison having already expressed interest in welcoming the breakout star Stateside. Elsewhere, Eddie Hearn has spoken of eventually putting him into a fight with Jaron \u2018Boots\u2019 Ennis.<\/p>\n

\ufeffMoses v Hrgovic | Sunday August 30 from 3am AEST | Moses Itauma will seek to cement his place amid the leading heavyweight contenders when he faces Filip Hrgovic in London on August 30. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nikita Tszyu set for U.S. debut? | 02:42<\/p>\n

7. Liam Wilson<\/p>\n

RECORD: 18-3, 10KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Super Featherweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (KO4) Rodex Piala, January 16<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s unluckiest fighter has now twice been on the cusp of world title glory, only to have it ripped away in the cruellest of circumstances. Same as in July, a bout with Stephen Fulton Jnr was also canned after the US superstar failed to make weight. Regardless, Wilson remains ranked as high as No.2 with the WBO, and currently has promoters No Limit looking into several American rivals for an October showdown.<\/p>\n

8. Justis Huni<\/p>\n

RECORD: 13-1, 7KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Heavyweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (MD10) Frazer Clarke, April 11<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

After coming so ridiculously close to a world heavyweight title in 2025, Huni is now getting ready for another run at gold, albeit amid whispers he could soon be making a switch to Dana White\u2019s Zuffa Boxing franchise. Was initially meant to be headlining a Matchroom show in September, however it\u2019s understood that opportunity has since been scratched. Regardless, the Brisbane slugger will still likely fight before the year is out, with New Zealand\u2019s Hemi Ahio (25-1) his likely opponent.<\/p>\n

Mazoudier slams ‘dog’ Jermall Charlo | 02:12<\/p>\n

9. Conor Wallace<\/p>\n

RECORD: 17-1, 12KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Light Heavyweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: W (KO6) Walter Sequeira, April 23<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: Ben Whittaker, October 3<\/p>\n

Ranked at No.2 in the light heavyweight division, Australia\u2019s adopted Irishman is set for a blockbuster showdown against Ben Whittaker in October \u2013 with the winner then pitched straight at IBF champ Dmitry Bivol. While Wallace has never fought outside Australia as a professional, he comes into his UK headliner on a tear of 10 straight wins, all but three of which have come inside the distance.<\/p>\n

10. George Kambosos<\/p>\n

RECORD: 22-4, 10KOs<\/p>\n

DIVISION: Super Lightweight<\/p>\n

LAST FIGHT: L (TKO8) Richardson Hitchins, June 2025<\/p>\n

NEXT FIGHT: TBC<\/p>\n

While he hasn\u2019t fought in over a year, and lost four of his past six, \u2018Ferocious\u2019 remains on this list due to the strength of his resume. Aged 33, the Sydneysider has continually taken on the biggest and toughest tests available. And while he could leave the fight game today with enough accolades, and generational wealth, it\u2019s being whispered Kambosos wants one more shot at gold \u2013 with an all-Australian showdown against Liam Paro one option.<\/p>\n

Romero v Lopez full highlights | 02:55<\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTIONS <\/p>\n

Several fighters can consider themselves unlucky to miss being named above, including breakout No Limit prospect Callum Peters, hyped heavyweight Teremoana Jnr, WBC Grand Prix winner Dylan Biggs, undefeated cruiserweight Luke Modini, and longtime favourites Michael Zerafa and Jason Moloney. Others right in the mix include Jackson England, John Mannu and Ben Mahoney, who would leap up onto the list with victory over Nikita Tszyu on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Could Nikita Tszyu eventually surpass the boxing achievements of big brother Tim? Certainly it\u2019s a question worth asking.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":868512,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[571],"tags":[64,63,802,85],"class_list":["post-868511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-boxing","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-boxing","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/868511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=868511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/868511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/868512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=868511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=868511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=868511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}