Face-off fires up placid Tszyu as Mahoney eyes upset

A fiery face-off has breathed life into Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney's world title eliminator on the Gold Coast.

The pair butted heads after weighing in on Tuesday, the intensity a welcome sight after a build-up so placid that Tszyu's promoter was asked if the enigmatic son-of-a-gun should be doing more to sell the occasion.

On the line for the undefeated Australians is a shot at Englishman Josh Kelly's IBF super welterweight crown and Tszyu (12-0) is a clear favourite with bookies to beat Gold Coaster Mahoney (17-0-1).

But Mahoney's camp are warning not to write off the 31-year-old, a former kickboxing and Muay Thai battler who is finally healthy after horror build-ups to his last three fights.

"It's always the Nikita show, set up for Nikita as always," Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis, who also manages world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and heavyweight star Justis Huni, told AAP.

'"But we're in Benny's backyard and he's sold more than 1000 tickets himself.

"He's not just a pretty face and, his first time fighting since he's had a baby, sees this as a chance to set them up."

Mahoney has resuscitated his boxing career after a brief sojourn to the US left him treading water.

"If it goes the distance, Benny will outbox him and win," Francis said.

"Nikita's going to get frustrated and try to put Benny away, but a lot have tried that and none have been able to.

"His last three fights he's had his issues, but this camp's been great and three years ago Benny was a killer ... we've seen what he's capable of."

Nikita, 28, has been a pay-per-view star for promoter No Limit since he left a career as an architect behind to join the family business in 2022.

Between him, Hall of Fame father Kostya (18-0) and brother Tim (26-0) the Tszyus have combined for a remarkable 56-0 record in Australia.

"That'd be big and it's possible; they're due aren't they," Francis said of ruining that record.