Ben Mahoney and Nikita Tszyu fought to a stands till. (Supplied: No Limit Boxing)
Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney have fought themselves to a standstill in thrilling contest that was scored a split decision draw on the Gold Coast on Wednesday night.
Incredibly, Tszyu said after the fight that he felt Mahoney edged it and should have been given the win.
"I gave the fight to Ben, honestly," Tszyu said in the ring.
"Maybe one or two rounds more, but I can't be a judge. It was a close fight, but I thought he edged it."
Moments later, Tszyu walked back those comments, saying he was emotional and over-critical at himself.
"I think it was just the emotions," Tszyu said.
"I saw myself stopping him. Not being able to get it, that was just a bit emotional for me.
"I'm a huge critic inside the ring to myself."
He did note that it was the toughest fight of his career: "What do you think?" he said when asked.
The judges scored the fight wildly differently, with Phillip Holiday awarding the fight to Tszyu, 117-111 Sabrina Kerr going the other way and scoring 113-115 to Mahoney, while Carl Zappia scored it a 114-114 draw.
"I don't want to talk down on Nikita and his team, but I do believe I won that fight," Mahoney said.
Ben Mahoney took the fight to Nikita Tszyu in the contest. (Supplied: Main Event)
Mahoney was lifted into the air by his team at the conclusion of the fight, clearly believing he had done enough, and stood on the corner waving at his home crowd before the decision was read out.
The fight was desperately even, with Mahoney more active, while Tszyu delivered more power punches.
