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

Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney both put their undefeated records on the line for a chance to fight IBF super welterweight world champion, England's Josh Kelly. Follow all the action live from the Gold Coast Convention Centre.Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:10pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:10pmLive updates: Tszyu vs MahoneyMain card:Nikita Tszyu vs Ben MahoneyCallum Peters vs Blake WellsKirra Ruston vs Saundre SimmonsKoen Mazoudier vs Sam BeckBrandon Grach vs Ike PlutoPrelimsWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:46pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:46pmNikita Tszyu has arrivedHe's looking pretty casual as he wanders into the bowels of the Gold Coast Convention Centre.He has that smile on his face that is so unnerving for opponents.He's now watching away to the left of my position in the media area on the floor of the venue.(ABC Sport)Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:31pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:31pmRahime Mundine, son of Anthony, beats Jae Larsen(No Limit Boxing)Rahim Mundine, with dad Anthony watching on from his corner, took on Jae Larsen in a really entertaining super welterweight clash.Both men had their moments, but by the end of the fight it was Larsen who was showboating and smiling at Mundine, feeling it was he who had the upper hand in the fight.It was a close one,The judges had it as 50-45, 59-46 and 48-47, all in favour of Mundine.The decision was universally well received by the crowd, it has to be said, although Larsen seemed to take it well.Mundine senior, a two-time former WBA super-middleweight world champion, the former IBO middleweight champ and the WBA interim super-welterweight holder, got a rousing reception when he was announced, holding up his hand to the ever-growing crowd.Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:27pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:27pmVegas Larfield beats Jubert Buhat(No Limit Boxing)The second bout on the undercard was an absolute belter of a featherweight clash between Thai fighter Jubert Buhat and Brisbane's Vegas Larfield.Buhat, who goes by the moniker, the vampire, landed a series of tremendous shots in the third round, and carried on from there.It was easy to see how he came into the contest with a 9-0 record - the eye-catching and ear-catching shots were impossible to ignore.However, at the end of the fifth Larfield landed a monster shot of his own and all of a sudden the Aussie appeared to be looking for a knock out.The Thai fighter did well to stay just out of range and fought back with some tremendous shots in the last, Larfield proving his mettle by absorbing the crushing blows and countering with some of his own.Larfield, despite those telling shots, was boxing cleverly and commanded the centre of the ring, his orthodox and upright style enough from the jab to keep the scoring shots coming his way.All three judges scored it 59-55 in favour of Larfield for a unanimous decision victory.As an aside, I have a feeling he's walked out to this song before, but it was a nice touch regardless for Larfield to have Dolly Parton as a ring walk song, especially given the sad news earlier today.Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:21pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:21pmLuke Williams vs Prem Rungtiwa ends in no contest(No Limit Boxing)Our first fight on the undercard ended in a no contest when Prem Rungtiwa suffered a really nasty looking cut right on the left eyelid after an accidental head clash with Luke Williams.The referee asked the ringside doctor to have a look and he was sufficiently concerned to end the bout in the second round.It was only a four round bout, but needed to go to at least three of the four in order for a decision to be made in terms of a winner.Disappointment for the local lad Williams, who had a fair amount of support in the arena at that stage.Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:18pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:18pmWe're into the prelims at the momentThe Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is filling up nicely as evening falls on the Gold Coast - where it has been a lovely afternoon.And the fights have already been flowing on this extensive, nine-fight card.I'll update you on all those fights in the next little while as we prepare for the main fight card.Wed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:15pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:15pmFull fight cardHere's the full fight card for the evening:Main card:Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney – 12 rounds, Super Welterweight (IBF Super Welterweight World Title Eliminator & WBO International Super Welterweight Title)Callum Peters vs Blake Wells – 10 rounds, Middleweight (IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight Title)Kirra Ruston vs Saundre Simmons – 10 rounds, Light HeavyweightKoen Mazoudier vs Sam Beck – 10 rounds, MiddleweightBrandon Grach vs Ike Pluto – 6 rounds, HeavyweightPrelims:Max Reeves vs Oliver Firth – 10 rounds, Super MiddleweightRahim Mundine vs Jae Larsen – 5 rounds, Super WelterweightVegas Larfield vs Jubert Buhat – 6 rounds, FeatherweightLuke Williams vs Prem Rungtiwa – 4 rounds, Super WelterweightWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:07pmWed 26 Aug 2026 at 6:07pmNikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney(No LImit Boxing)Hello everyone and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of a massive card of boxing on the Gold Coast.My name is Simon Smale and I am ringside at the Gold Coast Convention Centre as Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney face off for the right to challenge for the IBF world title.The fight card is well and truly stacked tonight - so we'll have boxing for you all night long on the Glitter Strip.As ever, get in touch if you fancy it and I'll do my best to answer your questions as best I can.