George Kambosos Returned To Australian “Hero’s Welcome” Thursday
On Thursday in Australia newly crowned Undisputed Lightweight champ George Kambosos returned to a “hero’s welcome” after his upset of previously unbeaten champion Teofimo Lopez in New York two weeks ago.
The 28 year old pulled one of the upsets of the entire year world-wide in boxing and is fresh off of making the media appearances that followed and being ringside for the Devin Haney decision win over JoJo Diaz in their 135 lb. battle in Las Vegas last Saturday. That fight could put Haney in as Kambosos’ first title defense upcoming.
Meanwhile, as expected, he was greeted by dozens and dozens of fans “down under” (as this fan video shows) at the airport gate with chants of “Georgie! Georgie! Georgie!”
Back to two weeks ago in New York. Wether it was a 13-month layoff and/or the strain of trying to make 135 lb. or Kambosos just being a lot better fighter than what Lopez and his team anticipated, Lopez largely got out-fought over the 12-round main event. This included the Australian scoring a first round knockdown and out-landing Lopez by Compu-box stats 155-115 in power shots over the 12 rounds.
Kambosos further showed the “heart of a champion” after Lopez floored him in the 10th round and appeared on the verge of wining by come from behind KO. Still, the Australian was the fresher fighter in the final two rounds and it sealed his decision win.
For his part, the unbeaten Californian Haney (who retained a lesser version of the WBC World Title) made clear last Saturday night that he would be willing to fight the Aussie there in the first part of next year.
As the two fighters stood feet apart on the DAZN broadcast, Haney said,
“He has most of the belts. I have no problem with him being the favorite (in Undisputed fight). I think we gotta go in there and settle it,” Haney, now 27-0, 15 KOs said.
“Full respect. Great victory. You handled your business. I handled my business last week….NOW we can talk,” Kambosos said to Haney in reply.
When pressed about going to Australia to challenge Kambosos, Haney said:
“Let’s make it happen. Looking forward to it. Gonna go pick up some belts out there….I’ll go to Jupiter if I have to.”
Now, we wait for the deal to be made…or not.
For now, Kambosos gets to ride his popularity for a little while and figure our his first defense.
A veteran broadcaster of over 25 years, T.J. has been a fight fan longer than that! He’s the host of the “Big Fight Weekend” podcast and will go “toe to toe” with anyone who thinks that Marvin Hagler beat Sugar Ray Leonard or that Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Deontay Wilder could have beaten Ali!
