Teremoana (12-0, 12 KOs) will be fighting for the fourth time in 2026 when he faces Ahio (25-1, 19 KOs), a 36-year-old native of Auckland, New Zealand.

"I'm excited to be fighting again down in Melbourne and this time headlining against a strong opponent," Teremoana said in a statement. “I am really looking forward to the challenge he will bring. Nothing changes for me. I am here to prove I am the best, and Ahio is the next obstacle in my way. I respect what he's achieved, but he shouldn't have taken this fight.

"I've been training hard, and with another five weeks of preparation until fight night. I plan to show the difference in levels. God willing, I will be victorious."

After making his pro debut in 2020, Teremoana represented Australia in the 2024 Olympics and has two first-round knockout wins this year against Curtis Harper and Bowie Tupou, and stopped DeAndre Savage in just two rounds last time out while headlining a homecoming in Queensland.

“Australian boxing is flying and I am excited to be returning to Melbourne for what promises to be a brilliant fight card, headlined by the country’s most destructive fighter,” Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn said in a statement.

“We seriously have a superstar on our hands in Teremoana. He must close out this year with another big statement – but he’ll need to be at his best as Hemi Ahio is a very dangerous operator with plenty of experience.

“Teremoana truly has the potential to go very far in the heavyweight division. I honestly believe he has the tools to become a future world champion. He is a man Australia needs to get behind."

With another statement performance, Teremoana, 28, can make a strong case for securing the coveted Prospect of the Year.

Teremoana, alongside Jhon Orobio (19-0, 17 KOs), Colombia's 23-year-old sensational junior welterweight knockout artist who returns for a fourth fight this year on November 12 against unbeaten Hendri Cedeno, appear to be top frontrunners for the award.

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan