Tensions flared and insults flew as Benjamin Hussain and Andrew Hunt lit up the Matchroom press conference on Monday – leaving promoters already tipping a potential show-stealer.
Australia’s interim WBC super bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson headlines Wednesday night in Melbourne against Mariah Turner, with rising KO king Teremoana Teremoana also featuring against hard-hitting veteran Bowie Tupou.
Matchroom Boxing: Nicolson vs Turner | Wednesday 29 April from 7pm AEST | Watch Skye Nicolson vs Mariah Turner in an all-Aussie title showdown for the WBC Interim Super Bantamweight Championship | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
But it was Hussain and Hunt who stole the spotlight at Monday’s press conference, producing a fiery exchange.
Both men, eager to make a statement on the card, needed little invitation once they were handed the mic.
“I don’t give a f**k about titles,” said Hussain.
“I’m here to take the win… You [Hunt] can keep fighting welterweights. I’m a super-welterweight and the first real one you’ve fought.
“It’s not someone who is old or boiled down – I’m an actual super-welterweight.”
Hunt, who is coming off achieving the Aus Boxing 2025 Knockout of the Year, didn’t take long to respond.
Aussie boxing star Skye NicholsonSource: FOX SPORTS
“A side, B-side – I don’t give a f**k,” he said.
“He’s saying it’s hunting season – 100 per cent it’s f**king hunting season. I’m prepared, I’m a f**king animal.”
Moments later Hussain cut Hunt off, telling him that he should be sitting on the “A-side” of the press conference.
“Whatever makes you happy, champ,” replied Hunt.
“I’m the underdog – I’m going to rip you apart.”
Hussain fired back. “You ain’t going to do s**t. Stay nervous.”
Matchroom CEO Frank Smith was clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
“I like the swearing,” he said. “You’d get in trouble for that in the UK.”
Earlier in the press conference, he had already identified the Hussain-Hunt clash as a potential barnburner.
Andrew Hunt and Benjamin HussainSource: FOX SPORTS
“I’ve been told that Andrew against Benjamin is the fight of the night,” he said. “Everyone is telling me that before we even come onto the main two fights.”
Elsewhere, Nicolson spoke of her excitement at headlining Wednesday night’s card on home soil.
“I feel privileged to be headlining a card with so much Aussie talent,” she said.
“The platform with Fox Sports, the new deal with Matchroom, DAZN, Kayo Sports – it’s an incredible position to be in.”
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Nicolson, who is targeting a shot at undisputed British champion Ellie Scotney with a win, said she has plenty of respect for Turner.
“I have a lot of respect for Mariah,” she said. “I think she’s a great fighter, that’s why I have prepared the way that I have.
“I think you’re going to see the best version of Skye Nicolson come Wednesday night.
“I know that I’m in for a real fight. I know this is her golden ticket, her opportunity – and I’m prepared for that.”
The Aussie Olympian added she is capable of stopping Turner, but is more focused on delivering a complete performance.
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When pressed on her recent remarks about Jake Paul’s MVP not wanting to match their fighters against her, Nicolson quickly shut the topic down.
“All eyes on April 29th,” she replied. “Wednesday night I’ve got a job to do and then we can talk about what’s next.”
Turner, for her part, insisted she is arriving to seize her moment.
“I was born to be here,” she said. “It’s my time and my moment and I’m ready for it.
“We’ve prepared for anything and everything and we know how Skye fights.”
Elsewhere, Teremoana backed up remarks from Smith that he will one day claim the biggest prize in boxing.
“Yes, I do believe I’m going to be world champion one day,” he said.
“But the day coming is this Wednesday and my opponent is Bowie Tupou and I’m going to give him all the respect that he deserves.
“And by giving him respect I’m going to give him my all.”
Teremoana joked that his opponent was 42-years-old and he wouldn’t want to mess with his own father when he was that age.
Tupou chimed in that he is in fact 44 – but still has the power to finish a fight.
Teremoana, who is on a 10-fight win streak with only two fights getting out of the first round, said he was looking to make a similar statement.
“Judging by my track record, (I’m predicting) we can say a KO, but I’m prepared for eight rounds,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the ring with such an experienced opponent.
“You’ve got to be careful because these Tongans can bang.”
Frank Smith said it was an exciting time for Matchroom and Aussie boxing.
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“It’s always about growth and new markets and Australia was always a market we felt we could make a big impact in and we’re excited about the next three years and beyond,” he said.
“There’s a big market here for boxing… we don’t want to just build the fighters we have now, but the stars of tomorrow.”