Tim Tszyu has sent a surprising pre-fights message as his brother Nikita prepares for a potential world title shot tonight.
Tim is understood to not be attending the Gold Coast card headlined by Nikita’s world title eliminator against Ben Mahoney and posted to social media about his excitement.
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.
“Goodluck to the boys fighting. Keen to watch Koen, Kira, Callum and Wells!” Tim posted to his Instagram story.
Notably not named was Nikita.
Nikita attended Tim’s last fight, the win over Errol Spence Jr in Sydney one month ago, amid rumblings about the relationship between the pair.
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During the prelim card, Rahim Mundine, son of NRL and boxing great Anthony, extended his unbeaten record with a unanimous win over Jae Larsen.
‘The Dream’, who aspired to a rugby league career before a hip injury saw him turn to boxing, tired in the later rounds but still held on for victory 52-45, 49-46, 48-47.
With Anthony, as well as his long-time rival Danny Green, watching on and providing plenty of advice, it takes the 25-year old’s boxing record to 4-0.
It was his second televised fight, after defeating Lance McDonald in May in a controversial fight.
FIGHT PREVIEW
A fired-up Nikita Tszyu has issued an ominous warning to unbeaten Australian Ben Mahoney, declaring he is prepared to “bend the rules” as ‘The Butcher’ prepares for the biggest fight of his career on the Gold Coast tonight.
Tszyu faces Mahoney in a blockbuster IBF super-welterweight world title eliminator, with victory set to propel the winner towards a shot at reigning champion Josh Kelly.
But after a largely respectful build-up between the two Australians, Tszyu has made clear that respect disappears the moment the gloves go on.
“I have been respectful the whole way through but I’ve always known once the gloves come on, there’s not going to be any respect to him,” Tszyu said.
“In this fight, I will bend the rules when I have to.”
Nikita eyes title eliminator | 05:34
The comments come after Tszyu finally appeared to flick the switch at Tuesday’s weigh-in, marching towards Mahoney during an explosive final face-off and getting right in the unbeaten Queenslander’s face.
And despite entering as the favourite, Tszyu is expecting Mahoney to produce something he has never shown before as the 17-0-1 local attempts to seize the biggest opportunity of his decade-long professional career.
“One thing I have noticed, all Aussie fighters when I fight them, they lift to another level,” Tszyu said.
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Tszyu v Mahoney: HEATED final face off | 05:53
“They come for the occasion.
“Whatever we have seen from Mahoney in the past he will bring a little bit extra.
“I have made that mistake in the past, underestimating someone, and I’m prepared for something much bigger this time.
“I will be victorious.”
The stakes could hardly be greater.
A world title opportunity beckons for Tszyu, while blockbuster fights and a potential US debut against the likes of former world champion Keith Thurman have already been floated should ‘The Butcher’ continue his undefeated rise.
His camp is also confident Tszyu can become a world champion within the next 12 months.
But first comes Mahoney, an unbeaten Australian with the opportunity to tear up every one of those plans.
Can Tszyu deliver on his brutal promise and take the biggest step yet towards a world title, or will Mahoney produce a stunning upset on home soil?