Live: Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney meet in world title eliminator

Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney put on a thrilling performance in their world title eliminator match on the Gold Coast, resulting in a split decision draw. Tszyu felt he edged the fight but could not be a judge, stating it was too close. The judges scored the fight differently, with Phillip Holiday awarding it to Tszyu, Sabrina Kerr to Mahoney, and Carl Zappia calling it a draw.

Both fighters delivered an impressive performance, with Mahoney being more active and Tszyu landing more power punches. The win gave Mahoney a chance to face British fighter Josh Kelly for the IBF world title, while Tszyu will have to wait for his world title aspirations. On the undercard, Cal Peters won the IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title by stopping Blake Wells in the eighth round, and Kirra Ruston knocked out Saundre Simmons in the first round.

Koen Mazoudier also kept his hopes of meeting Jermall Charlo alive by defeating Sam Beck by majority decision.