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‘He’ll crush him’: Only man to fight both Tszyu and Mahoney makes brutal prediction Koen Mazoudier is in a position nobody else in Australian boxing can claim. He knows exactly what it feels like to share a ring with both Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney. And when it comes to picking a winner next Wednesday night, the Sydneysider doesn’t need much time to think about it. 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. “I see Nikita crushing him,” Mazoudier told Fox Sports Australia. Yep, crushing him. Tszyu and Mahoney will finally settle things next Wednesday night on the Gold Coast, with the pair set to collide in a hugely important super-welterweight showdown. Combined, the two fighters are unbeaten across 31 professional fights, with Tszyu currently ranked No.5 by the IBF and Mahoney sitting at No.7. And with the top two spots in those same rankings currently vacant, No Limit has declared the all-Australian showdown a world title eliminator. Which is why Mazoudier will have a particularly keen interest in proceedings. The 30-year-old is the only fighter to have faced both men professionally, fighting Mahoney to a split-decision draw in 2023 before going on to meet Tszyu in a brutal Australian title fight the following year. Mazoudier pushed Tszyu deep into that contest before eventually being stopped in the ninth round. And having experienced both men first-hand, he believes there is a clear difference between them. “The version of me that fought Nikita would absolutely kill the version of me that fought Mahoney,” Mazoudier said. “I developed so much and I fought someone much better. “It’s a good match-up. It’s a good match-up on paper. It’s a good match-up for Australian boxing. And I don’t think it’s a whitewash by any means. “But I do definitely think Nikita’s a level or two above.” That doesn’t mean Mazoudier is expecting Mahoney to simply roll over. The tough-as-nails Queenslander has waited years for an opportunity of this magnitude and Mazoudier believes the occasion could bring the best out of him. “Mahoney loves the limelight, he loves to be the star, so he might perform the best he’s performed,” he said. “And then it depends largely on Nikita – how his hands are, what sort of game plan he comes in with. “I think if Nikita goes at him with some pressure, he’ll crush him. “If he tries to box and lets Mahoney sort of be comfortable with a bit of range, he might be able to work his way through to a decision. “But I can’t see Mahoney beating Nikita.” Mazoudier also knows better than most what makes Tszyu so dangerous. While the younger Tszyu has developed a reputation as one of Australian boxing’s most destructive fighters, Mazoudier says there is more to “The Butcher’s” offence than raw punching power. “Yeah, he’s got power, but it’s the timing of his power as well,” Mazoudier said. “People don’t appreciate the crispness of his boxing and his timing. “That was where he caught me. The shots that he hit me with didn’t necessarily hurt me. One buckled my knees – they were good shots – but they weren’t necessarily the biggest shots. “I didn’t feel rocked by them, but it’s the sharpness of them. “So I think that’s a big aspect. It’s not just his power, but it’s his sharpness and his timing.” So does Mahoney hear the final bell? Mazoudier isn’t so sure. “I’m predicting a stoppage, but again, it largely comes down to what form Nikita is in,” he said. “He’s had troubles with his hands and all that sort of stuff. “Again, some people lift. Some people crumble. I think Mahoney will lift. “So my prediction would be a Nikita victory no matter what and I’m probably 50-50 on the stoppage.” MORE BOXING: ‘Not in my league’: Boxing bad boys collide as champ’s sparring secret exposed — Ultimate Guide ‘Send me the contract’: Aussies targeted for monster US superstar showdowns as talks begin Yet for all the attention surrounding Wednesday night’s showdown, Mazoudier believes Tszyu remains very much a work in progress. Which, given what he has already achieved, should probably worry a few people. Tszyu has just 12 professional fights behind him and spent some eight years away from the sport before eventually going pro. And Mazoudier believes the southpaw has the potential to go considerably further yet – potentially even matching, or surpassing, big brother Tim. “He’s still only 12 fights in. He’s still a baby,” Mazoudier said. “People forget he was out of the sport for eight years or whatever. “I rate Nikita’s current ability and his potential. I think he can definitely go as far as Tim, if not further, potentially, but it takes time. “This is a perfect building fight. “If he beats Mahoney convincingly, I think he’s right where he needs to be.”