‘Ashes’ battle to determine whether Aussie boxing star is truly back
This time last year, George Kambosos jnr was one of the hottest properties in world boxing.
Having sensationally taken the WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight belts from Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos then attempted to claim the only piece missing from the collection, Devin Haney’s WBC strap.
Kambosos had two attempts to do so, but Haney – considered one of the world’s best pound-for-pound boxers – inflicted the only losses on the Australian’s record.
Undisputed champion Haney is expected to vacate his belts to move up a weight division, providing Kambosos another opportunity to become the king of the lightweights.
That journey begins on Sunday afternoon [AEST], when “Ferocious” takes on IBO titleholder Maxi Hughes in a 12-round IBF world title eliminator at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
“I’m extremely motivated to show everyone that Ferocious is back once again,” Kambosos said. “I’ve been there before, I’ve been at the top of the mountain, and we’re here to show we’re back again, so we can bring on the big names after this.
George Kambosos jnr and Maxi Hughes at the weigh-in ahead of their bout in Oklahoma on Sunday.Credit: Getty
“I’ll show that you can come back after taking a loss. You get written off after taking a loss; unfortunately in the boxing world today everyone has short memories. I will show the levels I’ve gone to, what I’ve learnt from those fights and the sacrifices that I’ve had to make.”
The bout against English southpaw Hughes, who is on a seven-fight winning streak, is another Ashes battle, of sorts, to complement the cricketing contest in progress in the UK.
“We’ve got a big rivalry with the Aussies in the UK and the Ashes is going on,” Kambosos said. “We’ve always had this rivalry with the Poms. He’s the perfect guy. He’s got a IBO world title, so let’s take that off him.
“I’ve got the utmost respect for Maxi Hughes, but that ends when we step inside the ring. I’m there to take his head off. By any means, he’s going to go. He will get a serious night of punishment. This man is not there for 12.”
George Kambosos jnr wants to hit back after successive losses to Devin Haney.Credit: Getty
Kambosos is at a crossroads. A win against Hughes will set up a world title shot before the end of the year. However, a loss would result in a calamitous tumble down the rankings.
The 30-year-old, who is making his debut for co-promoters Top Rank, believes he has emerged as a better boxer after a roller coaster 18 months.
“At the end of the day, me and Lopez fought for the undisputed championship and I beat him,” Kambosos said. “I brought all the belts back home, something never before done in Australian boxing history.
“Then I didn’t parade and look for an easy fight, I went for the best guy. When it wasn’t [Vasiliy] Lomachenko, it was Devin Haney.
George Kambosos Jr and Maxi Hughes face off.Credit: Getty
“We took the most avoided guy and did this amazing spectacle, an amazing fight that will stand in the history books for many years to come. He was the better man, he beat me and, as a true fighter, we went at it again.
“I went into the rematch to get those belts back. I couldn’t get them, but that experience – three undisputed fights back-to-back in 11 months – is unheard of.
“Not only never done in Australian boxing, there’s not many fighters in the history of world boxing that go three undisputed fights back-to-back in 11 months.
“I’m very hungry to achieve more. The big players here have big plans for me, and I’m going to reignite Australian boxing again.
“I will have the IBF world title at the end of the year. That’s the focus that I have and that’s a fact. Haney is going to vacate those belts. I’m very hungry to achieve more.”
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