Nikita Tszyu Admits Mahoney Edged Split Draw

Mahoney began quickly behind his jab and higher output, taking advantage of Tszyu’s measured start. A clash of heads opened a cut above Tszyu’s right eye in the third round, yet the southpaw settled into the fight and began landing his heavier left hands and body shots. Tszyu controlled portions of the middle rounds with pressure and power. Mahoney never allowed him to take complete command, countering and forcing exchanges at close range.

The hometown fighter finished strongly during the final four rounds. His activity and right hands gave him an argument for the decision, while Tszyu still landed the more damaging individual punches.

Tszyu Questions the Official Result

Rather than defend the 117-111 card in his favor, Tszyu conceded that Mahoney had done enough to win.

“I gave the fight to Ben honestly; he was one hell of a tough fight,” Tszyu said after the decision, as quoted by Nine. “It was a close fight, but I thought he edged it.”

That admission says more about the contest than the wide Tszyu scorecard. He was the favorite, the bigger puncher and the fighter being positioned for an eventual opportunity against IBF champion Josh Kelly. Mahoney was supposed to test him, not leave Tszyu questioning if he had been beaten.

The draw does not ruin Tszyu’s championship ambitions, but it changes how his readiness should be judged. Mahoney’s jab, durability and late output exposed areas that had not been tested during Tszyu’s rise.

A rematch would provide a clean answer. Moving Tszyu directly toward Josh Kelly after a performance he believed he lost would leave a more uncomfortable question behind.