Keith Thurman keen to fight Nikita Tszyu, as Australian faces Ben Mahoney in word title eliminator, latest news

American superstar Keith Thurman has expressed his interest in a blockbuster showdown with hyped Australia prospect Nikita Tszyu, declaring: “Kangaroo tasted good the last time … so I could see myself taking another bite”.

On the eve of Tszyu’s IBF world title eliminator against Ben Mahoney, both Thurman and Team Tszyu have officially confirmed interest in fight that could potentially take place in Las Vegas either late this year or early in 2027.

Thurman also stressed he was also still interested in a potential showdown with Tim Tszyu.

No Limit has long had interest in trying to make a card on the same weekend as the NRL’s incredibly popular season launch in Sin City, with Nikita Tszyu-Thurman an obvious headliner should that happen.

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.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia from the US, Thurman confirmed he would be open to discussing a showdown with ‘The Butcher’ before Christmas – amid vowing to fight twice more every year until he turns 40.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings also confirmed discussions around a Thurman fight, and potentially for the United States.

“Keith Thurman is someone we’re very interested in for Nikita’s immediate future,” Jennings told us over the weekend. “He’s definitely a name we’ve been talking about.

“And I want to stress, this has nothing to do with us looking ahead of Ben Mahoney.

“We’re not.

“Everyone in our team knows exactly what sort of test he’ll be presenting Wednesday night.

“But in the world of boxing, fight negotiations can take a long time.

“And because of that, you’ve got to have forward planning.

“When you’ve got a successful fighter who is winning like Nikita is, you don’t want to lose that momentum [with drawn out contract negotiations].

“So as his management, we have to keep ahead of things and Keith Thurman is a fight we’re interested in pursuing.

“That would be an absolute cracker of a fight. And I know Nikita would love that fight.

“But again, we’ve got a big task ahead of us next Wednesday.”

One of the greatest welterweights of the modern era, and a future Hall of Famer, Thurman was initially supposed to headline T-Mobile Arena against Tim Tszyu way back in 2023, but was forced to withdraw late with injury.

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Now 37, the fighter dubbed ‘One Time’ last fought, and lost to WBC super welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora in March.

Back in 2025, Thurman also travelled Down Under to beat popular Sydneysider Brock Jarvis, in what everyone thought would be a warm up for the elder Tszyu sibling – however that fight has never materialised.

“And kangaroo tasted good the last time,” the American told us via message over the weekend. “So I could see myself taking another bite.

“I’ll be looking for one more fight to close out the year I enjoyed my time working with No Limit.

“So if they send the contract and I haven’t signed to another fight, then I will be open the idea.

Thurman also stressed he was still keen to throw down against the elder Tszyu sibling, who most recently earned a huge win over American great Errol Spence Jnr.

“I came to Australia to fight Tim Tszyu and I still would fight Tim,” Thurman said.

“But his team seems to no longer want that fight.

“So now his lil’ brother is calling my name. I’m a simple man … and while the lack of fights throughout the past six years has been unfortunate, my overall goal is to fight two times a year until 40.”

Currently on an undefeated tear stretching 13 straight fights, Tszyu is now making final preparations for the biggest test of his promising career, with the undefeated Mahoney, also once a Muay Thai star, long considered his greatest test anywhere on the domestic scene.

While the bout is being billed as an IBF eliminator – with Tszyu ranked at No.5 both them and the WBO – there have already been suggestions reigning champ Josh Kelly is in talks to unify against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who holds the WBA and WBO crowns.

Regardless, Tszyu’s team is keen to have the Sydneysider take a fight in the United States, which could potentially come on the undercard of a big Las Vegas bout.

No Limit have also not given up hope of staging a unique boxing card on the same weekend as the NRL’s incredibly popular annual season opener in Sin City.

Should that happen, they now consider a big enough name to headline.

And in either case, Thurman is now a leading candidate for such a bout.

Jennings also confirmed reports of Tszyu potentially fighting in the US before Christmas, or early in 2027.

“I’m extremely keen to introduce Nikita to the US market,” he said. “And against a real quality opponent.”

Pushed on what would be next for Tszyu in victory on Wednesday, Jennings continued: “A win over Ben Mahoney opens plenty of doors.

“For a start, it’s an IBF eliminator which means the winner gets a shot at Josh Kelly.

“But it also gives us the chance to put Nikita in with a well credentialled fighter, someone without a belt, who gets him ready for that world title opportunity.

“And as I’ve said, Thurman is one of those names. That’s the type of challenge that gets Nikita Tszyu out of bed each morning.”

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.

While Wednesday’s fight is being billed as an eliminator for IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly, that shot may not be available to whichever Aussie wins on the Gold Coast.

In recent weeks, there have been reports of Kelly now being in unification talks with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who holds both the WBO and WBA titles.

However should ‘Boots’ win, a bout with Tszyu could also be in the mix given he is also currently No.5 in WBO rankings, with a the WBO Intercontinental strap also up for grabs on Wednesday night.

Back in April, UK promoter Eddie Hearn also suggested he would potentially be keen to bring Ennis Down Under for a fight against Nikita Tszyu, especially given he has signed a new broadcasting deal that involves staging seven fights in Australia.

“I really like Nikita Tszyu, think he’s an exciting fighter,” Hearn said. “And he’s going to be putting himself into a position very soon to be challenging for a world title.

“And maybe that’s Josh Kelly.

“But don’t forget also that we’ve got Jaron Ennis … so maybe we come to Australia and do something. I’d love to bring a big name American fighter over to Australia and so maybe that’s the fight with Nikita Tszyu, who knows?”