‘The greatest’: George Kambosos Jr. stuns Teofimo Lopez in shock upset

Aussie boxing star George Kambosos Jr. has defied the odds against champion Teofimo Lopez and made history in New York.

Andrew McMurtry

@AndrewMcMurtry

4 min read

November 28, 2021 - 6:45PM

And the new... George Kambosos Jr. celebrates with his team. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

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George Kambosos Jr. has shocked the world.

Entering the fight, the Sydney-based Kambosos was a 13-1 underdog and most bookies were predicting an early stoppage to Lopez.

But it turns out nobody told Kambosos Jr.

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The Aussie was awareded a shock split decision victory over Lopez , claiming a 115-111, 115-112 and 113-114 win to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles and the biggest victory in Australia boxing history.

It was a highly anticipated fight and lived up to its billing as it went the distance in an incredible brawl.

It was the first defence for the New York-born Lopez after he claimed a breakthrough win over Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020 in Las Vegas.

That win elevated Lopez to the rank of undisputed champion – but instead of capitalising on his success, he has endured a 13-month lay-off.

And he came up against Kambosos who was desperate to steal the crown.

“Look at me, I’m the greatest Australian fighter in history, no disrespect,” Kambosos said. “I’ve got all the belts.”

George Kambosos Jr. looks good with the belts. Photo: DAZN

Kambosos said he would spend time grieving his grandfather after he died in the extended lead up to the fight which was postponed due to Covid, legal challenges and promoter Triller going into default over its purse bid.

It was a shocking upset for Kambosos as Lopez had predicted he’d knock Kambosos out in the first round but the Aussie wanted to make history — showing he was serious with a knockdown in the first round.

Kambosos has been wildly confident all through the extended preparation for the fight and before the ring walk said he would win this fight.

A huge right hook landed right on the chin of Lopez and the champ went down in the first round.

Lopez’ dad and cornerman said “take your time, take your time” and tried to downplay the shot adding: “You were off-balance”.

The commentators weren’t sold though, saying it was indeed “legitimate”.

George Kambosos throws his right hand in the first round. Photo: DAZN.

George Kambosos drops Teofimo Lopez. Photo: DAZN.

Kambosos had another big moment in the second round, landing the heavy right hand once more but the longer the fight went on, the more Lopez appeared to settle.

Kambosos ate some big shots himself but hit back just as hard.

By the midpoint of the fight, the commentators were saying they believed Kambosos was winning the fight and leaving Lopez baffled as to why he couldn’t get the Aussie out of the ring.

And Kambosos was looking more and more like a champion.

No idea how Kambosos just took those two punches from Lopez, a right and a left that would he knocked almost anyone else out cold #LopezKambosos
— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 28, 2021

@georgekambosos ainâ€™t here to play!! #LopezKambosos
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) November 28, 2021

Kambosos is game. Entertaining fight thus far. #LopezKambosos
— John Buffone (@JDBuffone) November 28, 2021

And the new!!! George Kambosos Jr. is the new lightweight king! Holy smokes!!! #boxing #LopezKambosos
— Jeremy Herriges (@ABoxingWriter) November 28, 2021

@georgekambosos Congratulations! What a sensational fight and humbling sportsmanship what a way to close the year ! #2021yearofboxing #LopezKambosos
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) November 28, 2021

In commentary for DAZN, former WBO junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri said in the ninth round that Lopez was behind the eight-ball.

“Kambosos is making everything work right now, but Teofimo is living his nightmare,” Algieri said. “He came out really fast and is now deep in a fight he expected to be over by now.”

Lopez did fight back in the ninth and appeared to have Kambosos on the ropes.

Kambosos came back from this. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Lopez had been through a war. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

And in the tenth, Lopez finally claimed a knockdown against a tiring Kambosos.

“What a war,” said one of the commentators as the fight got tighter as Lopez came home strong, adding “it’s one of the best fights in 2021” and a contender for fight of the year.

Trainer of 1

This is bananas! #LopezKambosos
— Morning Kombat (@morningkombat) November 28, 2021

Trainer to 18 world champions and ESPN commentator Teddy Atlas also paid Kambosos the ultimate compliment, saying the Aussie “reminds u of Arturo Gatti the way he gets hurt and comes back. Incredible fight.”

Asked in the ring how he pulled off the upset, Kambosos said he just did what he needed to do.

“Did I change all week? Have I changed my whole career? Never,” he said. “I believe in myself, I back myself. I said it time after time, you may not believe it but I believe in myself and look at me now, I’ve got all the jewels.

“I’m not the king — you’ve got the four kings — I’m the emperor because I come to every other country and I take them out one by one. All respect to him. Thank you New York City, Madison Square Garden, I love you all.”

Kambosos said he put everything into the first round to change the fight.

“Cus D’Amato said a great saying when Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier, an unbelievable puncher in Joe Frazier, and Muhammad Ali rang Cus D’Amato and said ‘what do I do?” Kambosos said. “He goes ‘you hit him with the best right hand you’ve ever thrown in your life in the first round and you change the fight’. And that’s what I did. I had that in my head. I had that mentality, I’m going to hit him hard, I’m going to hit him clean and I’m going to put him down, and the fight changed after that.”