Australia’s Paulo Aokuso has, somewhat crazily, punched his way into an blockbuster American debut before Christmas.
Ranked among the nation’s most exciting fighters, Aokuso needed just two rounds to demolish Austria’s Mobin Khahrazeh – earning his fourth finish of the year and 13th straight win.
The Sydneysider also retains the IBF Inter Continental light heavyweight title.
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Dropped Khahrazeh in the second round with a devastating left hand, Aokuso then swarmed again soon after, prompting the visitor’s corner to quickly throw in the towel.
“Right hook, straight left … damn”, Aokuso declared after the fight.
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Immediately after the fight, No Limit promoter George Rose then entered the ring and declared his unbeaten charge will now be turning around in only weeks to fight on the same card as Liam Paro’s welterweight unification fight against Devin Haney.
That bout takes place in San Francisco on December 13.
After hearing the announcement inside the ring, Aokuso shouted: “Yes, sir.
“Let’s do it.
“Give me the contract and I’ll sign it straight away.”
The win continues a run of highlight reel moments for the fighter whose July stoppage of Luis Antonio Tejeda is also a leading contender for 2026 Australian Knockout of the Year.
Dropping Khahrazeh in the second round, Aokuso watched his rival find his feet and set himself to go again.
That’s when he swarmed – and with such intensity the Austrian’s corner threw in the towel, albeit controversially.
In crazy scenes, Khahrazeh appeared to lose his feet in the second assault, stumble, but then recover somewhat, before ringside officials alerted referee Les Fear to the towel already laying inside the ring.
“Mass confusion – but dominant from Aokuso,” Main Event commentator Ben Damon exclaimed, describing the prodigy’s left hand as being “from another planet”.
Immediately, the bout was called off, with the defeated fighter remonstrating with his corner.
Regardless, Aokuso now joins an incredible December of fights that also includes Tim Tszyu and Liam Wilson fighting for world titles, Nikita Tszyu making his US debut and Jai Opetaia moving up to face Deontay Wilder.
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