Nikita Tszyu’s team is in discussions to bring American superstar Keith Thurman Down Under – while Queensland’s new world champion Liam Paro could have his own future determined in Las Vegas this Sunday.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal promoters No Limit are readying to reignite discussions with Thurman – one of the greatest welterweights of the modern era – if the younger Tszyu gets through next Wednesday’s huge Gold Coast headliner against Ben Mahoney.
Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Two years ago, Thurman was responsible for creating one of the greatest sliding doors moments in Australia’s fight history – when he withdrew only weeks out from a proposed Las Vegas headliner with Tim Tszyu.
That move effectively resulted in ‘The Soul Taker’ dropping consecutive world title fights against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, the first losses of his career.
Now, however, the youngest member of Australia’s No.1 fight family is being discussed to square the ledger.
The news comes as No Limit’s Rose brothers have also already been in talks with the two men involved in this Sunday’s WBA welterweight title blockbuster in Las Vegas – reigning champ Rolly Romero and hyped challenger, Teofimo Lopez.
Only days after accusing WBO champ Devin Haney of “ducking” him, Paro has tipped good friend Romero to defend gold in the world’s fight capital this weekend, and then hopes to go straight into a multi-million dollar unification blockbuster that also involves his own IBF strap.
No Limit is already involved in talks with both camps to make a fight with whoever is victorious.
Tszyu, meanwhile, is looking to finally clear out his own backyard in next Wednesday’s huge all-Australian showdown against Mahoney, who is also undefeated and sits among the IBF super welterweight division’s top five challengers.
Already, the Tszyu-Mahoney bout has been billed as an eliminator for IBF champ Josh Kelly.
However, with Team Kelly currently negotiating a unification bout against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, there is a chance ‘The Butcher’ will look to take one more big fight at the back end of this year – with reports already emerging of a December showcase in Las Vegas.
There have also been whispers of either Tszyu or Paro headlining a massive Australian show in late October or early November.
And while No Limit, understandably, isn’t giving much away when it comes to Tszyu’s future beyond Mahoney, the name currently heading discussions is Thurman.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia back in May, Thurman revealed he was open to fighting the undefeated Sydneysider.
“While Nikita Tszyu has never really been on my radar, I’m not opposed to the match,” Thurman told us from a family holiday in Nepal.
“Last year, I really enjoyed working with No Limit.
“The thing is though, we had eyes on Tim Tszyu. It just never came through.
“So now my team and I need to assess what we want for later this year.
“I just need to debate if I could drop back down to 147 again. So there’s a lot on my mind but one thing is for sure … I don’t have a contract in front of me yet.
“So if No Limit wants that fight, send me the contract in writing.
“I want to stay fighting and stay entertaining boxing fans worldwide. Anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, Tszyu and Mahoney faced off for the first time on the Gold Coast Friday afternoon.
“For me this is the final step in the Australian side of things,” Tszyu said of the undefeated Queenslander.
“If I can get past him then I’ve essentially done what I need to do in the Australian scene. And I’m prepared for a fight.
“A lot of the time they say the experience [of opponents] is going to be too much, it’s going to be too big of a step, shouldn’t have taken this one.
“But I’ve been victorious every single time. So it’s nice being able to prove them wrong. And I’m going to get another one on top of them.”
Asked about Tszyu meanwhile, Mahoney said: “It’s just another name for me.
“This is about me cementing my last name and my legacy. It’s just timed out that we got someone of the name Tszyu — which is a massive name, so it’s lined up perfectly.
“Obviously winning this can lead to a much bigger opportunity in a world title bout.”
Thoughts on his rival’s unbeaten run?
“He’s good,” Mahoney continued. “He’s got a stellar record, he’s beaten good dudes and he’s proved he’s a challenge.
“So, I’m excited for a nice hard fight.
“And it is a 50-50 fight.
“Either of us could win if we apply the right game plan. And it’s boxing, anything can happen.”
Mahoney also praised the timing of the fight.
“I’ve just had my daughter Murphy and just started a young family,” he said.
“So to win now, to put me in line for a world title, to fight for life changing money and for that final challenge, that means the world.
“This is a fight that’s got me up out of bed, it’s got me training hard, and it’s got me not leaving any stone unturned because I know I need to be the best me I can be on this night.
“My whole career through Muay Thai, I was just a kid fighting grown men that were all jacked and muscly, and I’ve been told I’m going to get my butt beat my whole life.
“It’s been nice to prove people wrong every step of the way. So I’m excited to get in, excited to have a hard fight.”
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Elsewhere, Mahoney also talked up having the chance to headline such a massive event in his own backyard.
“Gold Coast is my home, it’s my hub, it’s where I’ve grown up,” he said. “It’s where all my family, friends and supporters are, and I feel most at home here.
“So it’s a privilege to be able to fight in front of all my people here.”