Nikita Tszyu vs Ben Mahoney: Controversial Draw Sparks Boxing Political Fallout
Matt Rose has moved to defend No Limit Boxing’s reputation after the promoter was dragged into the fallout from Nikita Tszyu’s bruising and controversial draw with Ben Mahoney.
What should have been a clean launchpad to a world-title shot has instead lit a fuse under Australian boxing politics.
A Wild Night, Wilder Scorecards
The IBF super welterweight world-title eliminator in Brisbane delivered exactly what it promised inside the ropes. Two unbeaten Australians, both willing to trade, both refusing to fold. Twelve rounds of momentum swings, heavy leather and stubborn resistance.
The judges’ cards turned it into a storm.
Phillip Holliday, a seasoned official and former world champion who once beat Jeff Fenech, saw it almost as a rout: 117-111 to Tszyu. Nine rounds to three for the No Limit headline act.
At the other end of the spectrum, Sabrina Kerr had Mahoney edging it 115-113. The third judge, Carl Zappia, split the difference with a 114-114 draw.
The result – a split draw – left the arena seething. Mahoney’s home crowd, who had watched their man rally late and leave Tszyu marked up and bloodied, made their feelings very clear. The boos rained down.
Tempers Boil in the Ring
The fight itself had been a war. Mahoney walked through serious punishment in the middle rounds, then came on strong down the stretch. Tszyu, the bookmakers’ favourite and No Limit’s rising star, wore the damage on his face.
In the raw aftermath, Tszyu did something few fighters do. He told the in-ring interviewer that Mahoney had been the better boxer on the night. It was a moment of honesty, or perhaps frustration, that fed the sense of injustice among Mahoney’s supporters.
Then the temperature spiked.
No Limit boss George Rose took exception to comments coming from Mahoney’s corner. In front of a live audience and cameras, he snapped, saying he wanted to “slap the s*** out of someone” and inviting anyone booing to “meet him out front and we’ll sort it out”.
By the time Tszyu reached the press conference, he had already softened his earlier assessment. He explained that he was disappointed in his own performance and that his post-fight comments reflected that frustration rather than a clear belief he had lost.
The damage, though, had been done. The debate had moved from the ring to the judges’ table – and then to the promoters’ offices.
Mahoney’s Camp Draws a Line
Mahoney, who had already experienced a contentious draw on a previous No Limit card, poured out his frustration while trying not to cross the line into open accusation.
“We’re going to have to look at our [rematch] options; I'm open to it but it sure as hell isn't going to be on another No Limit card,” he said, stressing that he didn’t want to throw officials “under the bus” but underlining the human cost.
He spoke about putting his life on the line, about a newborn baby at home, about spending eight of the first 14 weeks of her life in the gym. The subtext was clear: this isn’t just business.
His promoter, Mick Francis – who also handles Jai Opetaia and Justis Huni and is a direct rival to No Limit – was less guarded.
“Phil Holliday, I don't know what he was watching … those scores were way wide and I'm going to make an official inquiry about it because that's not right,” Francis said, insisting the matter was far from over.
For Mahoney’s team, the issue is not just one night’s scoring. It’s trust. And they say that trust has been broken.
Rose Bites Back
George Rose skipped the press conference, leaving his brother and No Limit co-founder Matt Rose alongside Tszyu and manager Glen Jennings to face the media.
Matt Rose acknowledged there had been “a couple of comments made in the ring” that set George off, but he did not shy away from the central issue: the judging.
He went on the front foot, welcoming scrutiny of the scorecards and turning the numbers back on Mahoney’s camp.
“I'd be happy for them to challenge because I don't think the scorecard of 115-113 was right at all,” Rose said. “And that would mean Nikita wins the fight.
“But we'll accept the draw. At the end of the day, I'm not going to complain about the 115-113. That's the decision they made and that's how they saw it.”
When told of Mahoney’s vow never to fight Tszyu on a No Limit show again, Rose’s patience snapped.
“What, it's going to be on a Tasman card in front of 200 people?” he fired back. “Who would stage it then?
“Please don't try to diminish what we do in the sport. The shows we put on are the best in the country.
If people are going to be critical of judging, it has nothing to do with us whatsoever.”
For Rose, this is about more than one disputed night. No Limit holds exclusive broadcast rights with Fox Sports and Main Event for Australian fights. He knows the power of that platform – and he’s not about to let rivals paint his operation as part of the problem.
A Rematch Wrapped in Politics
On pure boxing terms, the fight demands a sequel. Two unbeaten men, a world-title eliminator, a split draw, and a crowd left howling. It sells itself.
But now the rematch is tangled in ego, distrust and commercial rivalry.
Mahoney says he won’t do it under the No Limit banner. Francis is promising an official review of Holliday’s scorecard. Rose is daring them to challenge it, convinced any forensic look will vindicate Tszyu.
The punches stopped on Wednesday night. The argument hasn’t.
