Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney fight out a draw in controversial IBF super welterweight battle

Nikita Tszyu has walked back his post-fight admission that Ben Mahoney deserved to win after judges split their world title eliminator on the Gold Coast in a controversial draw.

The pair’s Wednesday fight was for a shot at Englishman Josh Kelly’s IBF super welterweight crown , but what happens next is now up in the air.

After a battle that fluctuated, judge Phil Holiday scored the fight 117-111 to Tszyu — effectively giving him nine of the 12 rounds, while Sabrina Kerr had it 115-113 to Mahoney. Carl Zappia’s 114-114 card meant they could not be split.

While not completely ruined with a loss, it ended the Tszyu family’s unblemished run of 56 wins in Australia between Nikita (12-0-1), older brother Tim (26-0) and Hall of Fame father Kostya (18-0).

The anticlimax drew jeers and boos from the pro-Mahoney crowd and led Tszyu to a remarkable confession that he later walked back in the press conference.

No Limit Boxing boss George Rose also stormed out of the arena after his post-fight address, reportedly fuming at comments coming from the Mahoney corner.

“I gave the fight to Ben, honestly,” Tszyu said immediately after the fight.

“Maybe one or two rounds more, but I can’t be a judge. It was a close fight, but I thought he edged it.”

Tszyu, speaking about 30 minutes later in the press conference, had changed his tune.

“I was hoping to finish him, make it a very clear, decisive win. I was disappointed in that and can’t make a full assessment of the fight yet.

“I’m a tough critic in the ring. It was the emotions. I envisioned it and not being able to get it (stung).”

Mahoney started well before Tszyu, who had busted his eye in a head clash, stormed ahead with a dominant stretch from the third round.

But the local favourite rallied and had the better of the final rounds.

“I’m a pretty optimistic dude ... I’m proving them (the critics) wrong again and again,” the 31-year-old said.