Nikita Tszyu heads to Las Vegas to prepare for August clash with Koen Mazoudier

Australian junior middleweight champion Nikita “The Butcher” Tszyu (9-0, 7 KOs) will make the second defence of his national crown when he takes on Koen Mazoudier (12-3-1, 5 KOs) in late August.

The location and date of the No Limit ticketed show have yet to be determined, but Sydney and Newcastle are the favourites to host the event.

The fight announcement was made during the broadcast of Sam Goodman’s super bantamweight fight against Chainoi Worawut at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, New South Wales on Wednesday night.

“We were supposed to fight in the amateurs once, in 2016, but I got sick and couldn’t fight that day… it’s good that we can finally make it happen,” Tsyzu, 26, said during the Main Event pay-per-view broadcast.

Mazoudier, 28, from Blacktown in Sydney’s west, was due to face Tszyu in April before suffering a perforated eardrum in his fifth-round stoppage win over Travis Druce in March.

Tszyu then faced Danilo Creati, posting a virtual shutout despite being knocked out in the sixth round of their 10-round match.

“It’s an exciting fight,” Mazoudier said. “I respect Nikita as a fighter, as a person. He’s the current Australian champion, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Southpaw Tszyu will travel to America next week alongside his brother, former WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu, to begin a camp at Split T Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

“This is one of those tantalizing matches that we’re lucky enough to have for Nikita,” No Limit CEO George Rose told CODE Sports.

“I’ve always been a fan of Mazoudier and he’s never been in a bad fight. Nikita Tszyu has never been in a bad fight either.

“It’s exciting and it’s a valid defense against Mazoudier.”

Tsyzu has amassed a solid track record since turning pro two years ago. His aggressive, entertaining style is made for TV and his defensive vulnerabilities only add to that excitement.

“I’m just happy to be back fighting. I had some time off, some rest. I’m hungry to fight again,” said Tszyu, who has boxed just once this year after four fights each in 2022 and 2023.

Mazoudier is an experienced fighter who has remained competitive even in defeat. He reversed his stoppage loss to Wade Ryan with a decision win in their rematch and holds a 1-2 win over Tszyu’s stablemate Joel Camilleri.

“Experience will be a factor, but Nikita has beaten a few experienced guys,” said Mazoudier, who trains at the same Central Coast gym as Goodman under the same coach, Joel Keegan.

“I definitely think I’ll bring something Nikita hasn’t seen before in the professional ranks, but he’s coming with a very experienced team that knows what they’re doing. They’ll be prepared for anything, as will I. I think we’ll have fun out there.”

Tszyu and Mazoudier have been on each other’s radar for a long time.

“This is probably the most exciting fight for Australian boxing this year within our division,” Tszyu said.

“We grew up together in the sport of boxing. He was there for my first tournament, for the Australian titles in 2013 or 2014. We’ve known each other since day one.

“But there are no friends in boxing.”