Why this Tszyu fight is 'not something you see often'

Nikita Tszyu can appreciate the moment, and will keep any unsavoury thoughts to himself when it comes to Ben Mahoney and their Gold Coast tussle billed as an IBF world title eliminator.

The Australian pair's fight next Wednesday is being celebrated as a match-making triumph and "50-50" contest between the unbeaten super welterweights.

Tszyu (12-0) is ranked at No.5 with the IBF, while Mahoney (17 wins, one draw) is No.7.

With the top two spots on that ranking list vacant, promoter No Limit has declared the all-Australian showcase a world title eliminator. It would put the winner in line for a shot at England's IBF champ Josh Kelly.

There is history on the line too, with Hall of Fame father Kostya (18-0) and brother Tim (26-0) combining for a remarkable 56-0 record in Australia.

"He's risen to the occasion when he's needed to, got a good ranking and obviously done something in the sport," Tszyu, still the heavy favourite with bookies, said of the Queenslander.

"We're number one and two in the country, it's huge stakes and there's something quite nice about two Aussies reaching such a high level in the world rankings to be able to fight for a world title eliminator.

"Not something you see very often ... good match-making, a 50-50 fight."

But whether a shot at Kelly is offered to the winner and if Tszyu - should he beat Mahoney - would take it are two separate matters.

This week Tszyu has sided with his brother's concerns over the IBF's contentious rehydration policy that requires boxers to weigh in on the day of the fight no heavier than 4.5kg over the initial limit.

It's a rule unique to the IBF and one the elder Tszyu said compromised his preparation before a loss to then champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in 2024.

Nikita thinks he could only abide by those rules safely at middleweight, where Tim now fights, throwing doubt on any match-up with Kelly.

But Tszyu is fifth in the WBO standings, where Jaron Ennis (36-0), also the WBA champion, holds court.

And there is an obvious narrative surrounding a title fight with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, who has beaten Tim twice.