Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika LIVE: Latest updates and results from cruiserweight title fight

Next up, we have Max McIntyre vs Abdulselam Saman at super-middleweight.

Australia’s McIntyre is unbeaten at 6-0 (5 KOs), while Turkey’s Saman is 8-1 (1 KO).

Final round, and it’s a firefight! Both men let their hands go and land clean shots! Mahoney’s are the heavier, as expected. What a great end to a fun fight.

For our money, Zhang did the better work for a long stretch in the middle rounds, but Mahoney started well and valiantly regained some momentum late. It’s hard to say which way it will go. Any hometown advantage for Mahoney? Let’s find out…

Fan Zhang def. Ben Mahoney via unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 100-90).

That is wild. All three judges give Mahoney EVERY single round. No, no, no.

The lights are back on, and Mahoney – after those extra moments’ rest – lands a clean cross and hook to start round eight! He’s soon skipping side to side, though, as Zhang picks up where he left off. Tidy jabs from Mahoney as Zhang misses with a wild hook. The referee pauses the action and warns the boxers, I believe for leading with their heads… Back under way, and Mahoney lands two smart lead uppercuts, before adding a hook. Cross, hook, uppercut from the Aussie. Big round for him!

It feels like Mahoney has become a bit more economical with his technique in the last couple of rounds. He’s not forcing his punches or loading up on them too much – for the most part, anyway. It’s like he’s trying to tease shots out of Zhang with half-cooked punches, before turning up the heat in select moments. For Zhang, not much has changed; his modus operandi is still: come forward and punch, or come forward and cover up. ‘Come forward’ is the constant, of course.

Mahoney with a pair of good hooks while – you guessed it – moving backwards. These are aimed upstairs, although he’s still throwing plenty of body hooks and those uppercuts to the head. He manages to back up Zhang to the ropes, but now he lets out a deep breath and backs off. Not a great sign. Mahoney misses with a series of punches as Zhang bears down on him. More misses from the Australian, but plenty of activity…

What’s this?? Before round eight can begin, the lights go out in the arena!

Staff are working on resolving the issue, but this gives Mahoney some time to catch his breath!

This is a spirited showing from Mahoney, who refuses to cower, despite Zhang’s pressure. But the Australian is starting to initiate clinches in this round, trying to get some respite. In one moment, he backs away from Zhang, who jogs across the ring to close the space. This must be exhausting for Mahoney, but he’s still throwing, still moving, still smiling! He’s got to hope some of his body work will pay off down the stretch.

Great round! Both men throwing and landing clean shots at close range.

This bout is being fought at such a pace. Zhang is maintaining his pressure from round two, flicking out offence with high volume, but Mahoney is still landing the heavier punches while on the back foot. The Aussie is breathing heavily, now wincing under some of Zhang’s attacks.

But good work from Mahoney now! He puts together a slick combination while skipping around a surprisingly static Zhang. Mahoney looks to build on that, late in the round, backing the Chinese boxer up to the ropes. Zhang reverses the position, but he eats a heavy hook that staggers him! Was he hurt, or just tired?

Mahoney looks in a little trouble here, still going backwards and eating more punches than in the previous rounds. Zhang is favouring shorter, straighter punches, largely to the head; Mahoney is still picking his moments to fire off big body hooks and uppercuts upstairs. Mahoney is still very much in this, but the fight is trending in Zhang’s direction at the moment.

Ten rounds scheduled here. Mahoney makes a fast start, pressing forward and sending out plenty of activity. He’s varying his targets, going from head to body with heavy offence. Zhang is able to weather some of that and push back the Aussie late in the round, but Mahoney’s hooks to the body and uppercuts to the head were the story of that frame. Some great step-back crosses to the head, too, with brilliant timing.

The only potential concern for Mahoney is whether he’s overexerted himself. And early in round two, Zhang is on the front foot, pushing back the home fighter and forcing him into throwing slightly sloppier shots. But Mahoney is landing with some of them – those uppercuts in particular are still working for him. He even manages to reverse the momentum for a while, pressuring Zhang, but not for long. Still, a close round, with Mahoney landing the heavier punches.

Next up is a super-welterweight bout between Ben Mahoney and Fan Zhang.

Australia’s Mahoney is unbeaten at 14-0-1 (8 KOs), while China’s Zhang is 8-2-1 (5 KOs).

Here’s how the rest of the card looks, subject to late changes…

Jai Opetaia (champion) vs David Nyika (IBF cruiserweight title)

Justis Huni vs Shaun Potgieter (heavyweight)

Max McIntyre vs Abdulselam Saman (super-middleweight)

Ben Mahoney vs Fan Zhang (super-welterweight)