Boxing champion George Kambosos Jr. has never had it easy in his career, but it’s exactly how the Australian likes it.
George Kambosos Jr. has built a career on baffling expectations and he will have to do so once again when he goes toe-to-toe with WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Despite shocking the world when he defeated Teofimo Lopez last November to claim the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO titles, Kambosos will have to defy the odds to become the first man in the four-belt era to hold all lightweight belts. .
See one of the biggest boxing fights in Australian history: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney, on Sunday June 5 with the Main Event at Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription is required to place an order. ORDER NOW >
His win over Lopez may have made Kambosos the best dog in the division, but it hasn’t helped him get ahead with the bookies.
Kambosos is an odd $2.35 to Haney’s $1.64, while a tie is a lot of money at $17.
It is right where Kambosos wants to be and where he has spent his entire career.
He has fought and defeated world champions in his last three fights in former featherweight champion Lee Selby, former IBF lightweight king Mickey Bey and Lopez.
“It’s been a long and hard journey, everyone knows that,” Kambosos said at a news conference on Friday. “But I’m ready for Sunday. All those moments have prepared me for Sunday again and I will surprise the world again. Underdog, beautiful, we are ready.
“I’ve been through it all, so whatever comes to the table on Sunday, we’re ready. We are fully prepared and we are warriors. Whatever path we have to take, we are prepared.
“I love the underdog status, they’ve been against me my entire career. They’ve been saying that the whole race. But I am the boss and after Sunday I will continue to be the boss.
Kambosos delivered some brutal punches ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster as he waged a mental battle against Haney.
It remains to be seen how that will affect Haney come game time, but the American is confident he has put the verbal barbs aside.
When asked if he should be the favorite, Haney said he would let his gloves do the talking.
“I feel like I’m a much better fighter, I have a lot more skills than him and I’ll show it on Sunday,” Haney said. “It is for me to show myself in the ring. The betting odds don’t really matter because I’m going to show you. No matter what people say, anyone can say anything, but I’m levels above him.”
We’ll see on Sunday.
How to watch Kambosos vs. Haney?
Kambosos vs. Haney will air live and exclusively in the pay-per-view main event. This includes via Foxtel and Kayo.
See one of the biggest boxing fights in Australian history: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney, on Sunday June 5 with the Main Event at Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription is required to place an order. ORDER NOW >
When is Kambosos vs. Haney?
Kambosos fights Haney on Sunday, May 5 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium with the undercard starting at 9 a.m. while the main event will be decided around 2 p.m.
It coincides with prime time on the West Coast of the United States.
Kambosos vs. Haney preliminary poster
Post-Main Event Matches
Andrew Moloney vs. Alexander Espinoza – eight round super flyweight
Amari Jones vs. Ankush Hooda – six round super welterweight
Main Card (from 11am AEST)
George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney – 12 rounds for the WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring world lightweight titles
Jason Moloney vs. Jason Moloney Aston Palicte – 10 Round Bantamweight
Junior Fa vs. Lucas Browne – 10 rounds at heavyweight
Hemi Ahio vs. Christian Tsoye – eight rounds at heavyweight
David Nyika vs. Karim Maatalla – four or six round cruiserweight
Billboard (from 9:30am AEST)
Terry Nickolas vs. Lachlan Higgins: six rounds at super welterweight
Isaiah Sette vs. Luke Gersbeck – four round super welterweight
Hussein Fayad vs. Pom Thanawut Phetkum – four round super featherweight
Taylah Robertson vs. Sarah Higginson – five rounds at super flyweight
Yoel Angeloni vs. Ken Aitken – four round welterweight
tape tale
GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR.
Nationality: Australia
Date of Birth: November 2, 1994
Height: 176cm
Attain: 173cm
Record: 20-0 (10 KOs)
The last three fights:
December 14, 2019 – Win (Split Decision) vs. Mickey Bey
Oct 31, 2020 – Win (Split Decision) vs. Lee Selby
November 27, 2021: win (split decision) against Teófimo López
DEVIN HANEY
Nationality: America
Years: 23
Height: 173cm
Attain: 180cm
Record: 27-0 (15 KOs)
The last three fights:
November 7, 2020: win (unanimous decision) against Yuriorkis Gamboa
May 29, 2021 — Victory (Unanimous Decision) Vs Jorge Linares
December 4, 2021 – Win (unanimous decision) vs. Joseph Diaz
Originally published as ‘Shock the world’: George Kambosos is exactly where he wants to be
