The Butcher is ready to carve up on the Gold Coast.
Nikita Tszyu is coming to the Glitter Strip – the scene of his brother Tim’s greatest victories – after securing a domestic blockbuster against dangerous Gold Coast rival Ben Mahoney on Wednesday, August 26.
Tim Tszyu is on the doorstep of another major marquee bout after his defeat of Errol Spence last Sunday and now his younger brother Nikita is within striking distance of a maiden world-title shot.
Nikita (12-0) and Mahoney (17-0-1) are both undefeated, plunging them into a mouth-watering IBF super welterweight world-title eliminator at Gold Coast’s Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The venue was home to Tim Tszyu’s savage knockout of Carlos Ocampo and brilliant disposal of Brian Mendoza in October 2023 in a masterclass that crowned him the WBO world champion.
Now Nikita is ready to plunder like his famous older brother, with victory over the experienced Mahoney to clinch a world-title bout with IBF champion Josh Kelly.
The youngest son of Kostya Tszyu proved his bona fides with a ruthless demolition of Spain’s Oscar Diaz in May, but the 28-year-old is wary of the wily Mahoney, unbeaten in a decade as a pro.
“This is the biggest fight of my career,” Nikita said.
“Ben Mahoney is probably the most technical fighter I’ve ever had to face, and I’ve always viewed him as the guy I need to beat to get to the world stage.
“He’s going to be hard, and I have to be really prepared for it.
“The Gold Coast is an awesome place to fight and I can’t wait for August 26.
“The Gold Coast has been good to my family. I’ve watched my brother do special things there with his incredible knockout of Ocampo and his world-title fight against Mendoza.
“Those memories stick with you.
“Now it’s my turn to do something special on that same stage.”
Nikita is ranked No. 6 with the IBF, while the 31-year-old Mahoney is ranked No. 9, underlining the quality of one of Australia’s best super welterweight bouts.
Mahoney is coming off a narrow unanimous points defeat of Dan Hill in April and could leave Tszyu’s world-title dreams in tatters if he claims the biggest scalp of his 10-year career.
Tszyu’s outstanding display against Diaz put the 154-pound division on notice and No Limit boss George Rose is adamant Nikita has the tools to emulate his brother by becoming a world champion.
“I have no doubt Nikita Tszyu is good enough to win a world title,” Rose said.
“This is a massive fight in the context his career.
“His whole professional career, Nikita has lived in the deep end and he keeps on swimming.
“He has been continually fighting undefeated guys and coming up with victories.
“This is a really good domestic fight. Nikita and Mahoney are both top 10 fighters and it’s cool to put two of the best Australian talents in the ring each other for a world title eliminator.
“Tim has brought the Gold Coast fans alive with some brilliant performances and we could see a something special from Nikita.
“He has the power to knock out anyone in the world.”
Tszyu says he isn’t taking a world-title shot with Kelly for granted.
“Am I ready for a world title? We’ll know soon enough, but for now my full focus is on Ben and I’m looking forward to putting on a show,” he said.