This is Fox Sports Australia’s combat sports column Fighting Words, where we give you all the latest news and views in MMA and boxing, from Australia and abroad.
He’s the man who caused one of Australian boxing’s most gruesome broken jaws – and now he wants Nikita Tszyu.
Tszyu v Spence Jr. | Sunday July 26 from 11am AEST | Tim Tszyu takes on the biggest name in his career so far – future hall-of-famer Errol Spence Jr, in a can’t miss event for boxing fans around the world. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
In what shapes as a huge all-Australian showdown, Fighting Words can reveal Queenslander Ben Mahoney is deep in discussions to face ‘The Butcher’ this August – with the winner potentially gifted a shot at IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly.
Speaking this week, both Mahoney and his promoter, Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis, confirmed No Limit have put an offer to the 31-year-old who has long sat alongside the Tszyu brothers on the domestic super welterweight podium.
More recently, the Gold Coast native has also punched his way into No.10 on the IBF rankings, with Nikita sitting at number seven, and older brother Tim one place higher at six.
As hardcore Aussie boxing fans will know, Mahoney is also the man who famously broke the jaw of fellow Queenslander Benjamin Hussain in a 2020 classic.
“So I’m not here to f*** around,” the undefeated puncher declared this week. “Right now, I’m in my prime as a fighter and the winner of this fight between Nikita and I, they’ll then go on to massive things.
“Honestly, I’m getting goosebumps just talking about it now. And that’s because I have such belief in what I can do.
“I mean, if Nikita isn’t ready to test himself with a fight like this, or I wasn’t ready … we shouldn’t be doing this sport.
“And I’m the biggest test of Nikita Tszyu’s career, I can guarantee that.”
Paro overcomes Crocker for world title | 05:30
So as for his thoughts on the younger Tszyu?
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Nikita,” Mahoney continued. “He’s a good fighter who is big, strong, explosive, and comes in there to get his fights done.
“But there are also a lot of holes in his game. I won’t go into those though. And obviously his power is his strength.
“But we’ve seen that when he fights guys who are tough and durable – fighters like Ben Horn and Koen Mazoudier – that power doesn’t always do the damage it needs to.
“And that’s when he gets himself in trouble. So I know I’ve got a great chin, I’m experienced, durable and move well. I also have power myself and am a lot smarter than these other guys [he’s fought].
“This is a fight that not only makes sense, but where the winner goes on to huge things.”
Francis agreed, adding: “While nothing has been signed off yet, we’re definitely in talks for a showdown that is absolutely world class. You’re talking about two undefeated Australians ranked inside the top 10. It’s massive.”
Should the bout get signed off in the next fortnight, potential locations include Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, even Adelaide.
TSZYU’S CHARLO SHOWDOWN
American superstar Jermell Charlo is set to be ringside for Tim Tszyu’s July blockbuster against Errol Spence Jnr, and has plans to enter the ring and finally confront the Australian face-to-face should he win.
While it has now been three years since he walked away from a Las Vegas blockbuster against Tszyu, Charlo will be part of a bumper Sydney crowd set to include the likes of Terence Crawford, Shawn Porter, Paulie Malignaggi, Danny Green, Anthony Mundine, a host of NRL superstars, and new IBF world champion, Liam Paro.
This column understands American promoters PBC not only want Charlo fighting the winner of Tszyu-Spence, but will fly him Down Under to ensure a post-fight confrontation with the winner.
Despite having not fought since 2023, when he dropped a lopsided decision to Crawford, the fighter dubbed ‘Iron Man’ would still draw huge interest with a showdown against either Tszyu or Spence.
Of course, Charlo’s twin brother Jarmall will also feature on the card, squaring off against Australia’s real-life Rocky story Koen Mazoudier.
AUSSIE UFC STAR TAKES SIX KIDS INTO CAMP
Robert Whittaker’s bravery knows no bounds – with Australia’s first UFC champion incredibly taking all six of his children inside his Las Vegas camp for UFC 329.
Speaking with this column shortly before jetting out for the blockbuster event set to be headlined by Conor McGregor, Bobby Knuckles confirmed he and wife Sophia are taking the entire family across for what will be his light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov.
“Yeah, taking the whole tribe,” Whittaker laughed of his incredible ordeal. “Which will be a pain in the arse, sure. But I want all of them to be part of this before I wrap things up.
“And honestly, we’re not talking rocket science here. You just pack the bags and do it.
“Because it’s all about priorities, right? And my biggest priority now is to have all the family experience a fight week with me … come see what dad does for work before I don’t do this anymore.”
Errol Spence Jr. introduced to vegemite! | 00:46
MCGREGOR TICKET PRICES
Conor McGregor’s claims to being the greatest draw in UFC history don’t seem to have abated with his time out of the Octagon – with even the cheapest remaining nosebleed tickets going for almost $1500.
Little more than a week out from his UFC 329 headliner against Max Holloway, T-Mobile Arena is almost sold out of tickets to see McGregor fight for the first time in five years.
Apart from a couple of crazy VIP spots, the few remaining floor seats are going for as much as US$20,000, which equates to almost $30K here.
Previously, some of the best seats available were going for as high as US$24,600, while even the cheapest remaining seats inside the T-Mobile rafters have been set at a staggering US$1000, or A$1400.
Moloney wins IBF title in Japan | 00:36
AUSSIE HEAVYWEIGHT SHAKE-UP
Australian heavyweight prospect Teremoana Jnr will fight an American rival on Matchroom’s return Down Under in August – and despite repeatedly calling for a shot at the national heavyweight strap.
Instead, Australian champ Stevan Ivic looks set to defend gold against resurrected Newcastle puncher Brandon ‘The Bull’ Grach, who returned from almost a year away in May with a solid stoppage win against Caleb Tialu. The domestic title fight would be a cracking addition to a Nikita Tszyu undercard, should ‘The Butcher’ finalise an August return as expected.
Meanwhile, Justis Huni’s team have added a surprise new name to their own list of potential targets for his upcoming Matchroom pay-per-view headliner in Australia — Demsey McKean.
While UK promoter Eddie Hearn has already talked up a fight between Huni and the likes of Deontay Wilder, Derek Chisora and Jarrell Miller, McKean’s recent 2026 Fight of the Year contender against Liam Talivaa has seen his name added to the list.
It’s understood Huni’s team have made an approach to the Queenslander, whose only two loses are against Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic.
NAS vs Burgess | Fight Highlights | 05:44
TSZYU’S HYPED STABLEMATE COPS CALL-OUT
Australia’s Max McIntyre has thrown down a challenge to every domestic fighter in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions – including No Limit’s breakout prospect Callum Peters.
While Peters has been dubbed Australia’s most avoided fighter, McIntyre insists he is more than keen to throw down with the youngster whose willingness to fight between divisions has drawn comparisons to no less than Dave Sands.
While currently readying to headline in July, McIntyre said his team have incredibly made contract offers to every leading super middleweight and middleweight in the country.
Peters, meanwhile, is undefeated in all seven professional fights, including a massive win most recently against American Joeshon James, and is also slated to fight again in July on the Tim Tszyu versus Errol Spence undercard.
“I know some fighters out there are making noise,” the undefeated Queenslander said. “And if Callum wants to fight I’d be happy to. I’m not sure if he wants to move up from middleweight, but if he is I’d be happy to fight wherever, whenever.
“Right now though, I’m focused on the job ahead. But I know my manager has sent contract offers to every single super middleweight, every single middleweight too. Put whoever you want in there.”
Card confirmed for Tszyu v Spence Jnr | 00:52
CHAMP’S DAD CHALLENGES OPETAIA
David Benavidez’s father has confirmed his son is keen for a Jai Opetaia superfight – and at a time when Zuffa Boxing’s Dana White has reportedly launched legal action to have the Australian’s IBF cruiserweight title returned.
Elsewhere, Team Opetaia remain convinced the undefeated Aussie star is set to next face the man holding WBC gold, Noel Mikaelian, stressing that another potential challenger, Englishman Chris Billam-Smith, doesn’t deserve the opportunity.
Speaking with Fighting Words from Las Vegas this week, Opetaia’s manager Mick Francis revealed he has spoken personally with both White and the father/trainer of cruiserweight king Benavidez about a potential showdown between the pair.
“And whatever happens next, it will be up to Zuffa,” Francis said. “They pay the bills so they make the decisions.
“But I can tell you Dana White loves Jai, and I’ve also spoken to Benavidez snr who says they want the fight. But I’m just not sure if they feel like he is ready yet.
“Personally, I still feel like Mikaelian will be next as he’s the only fighter saying he wants Jai. But more recently they’ve also delivered some mixed messages so who knows?”
Pushed on whispers of a Billiam-Smith clash, Francis continued: “Look, Billam-Smith may say he wants that fight but, trust me, we’ll get closer to the date and the guy will get an injury, or something else will go wrong. We know how he works.
“Plus, you’ve got to remember that Jai called him out for a long time when he had a WBO belt. That’s the belt Jai wanted. The belt he would’ve taken a pay cut. But Chris ducked, he weaved, and now he’s back calling for a shot? He doesn’t even have a title …”
Quizzed on threats of legal action around Opetaia being stripped of the IBF strap, Francis suggested that “Zuffa have lodged paperwork through the courts”.
Poirier threatens cop during arrest | 01:33
REFEREE HITS BACK AT UFC ‘ILLEGAL SHOT’ FURORE
Longtime UFC referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy has leapt to the defence of peer Herb Dean over the ‘illegal shot’ drama during the UFC White House event.
In short, Brazilian superstar Alex Pereira took aim at Dean for failing to police what he believed where illegal shots from Ciryl Gane, who won their bout, on the back of his head – even campaigning for his removal from the sport.
However, speaking with Uncrowned this week, McCarthy said: “Not one of those was an illegal shot. That is not an illegal elbow to the back of the head. That is a legal shot … because that would be hitting right where it’s even past the crown of the head. So that’s a legal shot, the back of the head.”
AUSSIE JAGS IBF ELIMINATOR
Adopted Aussie Conor Wallace has entered talks for a huge IBF light heavyweight eliminator against Englishman Ben Whittaker.
Understandably, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn would prefer to keep Whittaker fighting, and winning, in the UK. However, given Matchroom now has a series of exciting, new fight dates in Australia to fill, Wallace’s team are determined to get the bout switched to his backyard of either Brisbane or the Gold Coast.