Undefeated George Kambosos prepare for his shot at boxing glory
He is undefeated from his 17 fights but Aussie George Kambosos is preparing for his greatest challenge to date.
Boxing/MMA
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A former world champion stands in the way of undefeated George Kambosos landing a blockbuster world title bout.
Kambosos, who has won his 17 fights, will take on ex-IBF lightweight champion Mickey Bey next Sunday on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s welterweight title defence against Egidijus Kavaliauskas at Madison Square Garden.
The New York fight is easily the biggest of Kambosos’s career.
“I’m the only Australian fighting overseas right now,” the Sydney fighter said. “To think where I’ve come from, fighting in front of 250 people to being part of a card at the MGM Grand — fighting in Athens to now finishing the year at Madison Square Garden.
“This is my world title fight. If I can’t get past Mickey. We are nowhere near ready for a world title.”
Kambosos has spent two months preparing in Miami, surrounded by his two young kids and his partner. The 26-year-old has been sparring former world title contender Amir Imam, exciting prospect Xander Zayas and even Emmanuel Tagoe, who has long been touted as a potential opponent for Kambosos.
“I’ve done about 90 rounds,” Kambosos said. “When you’re fighting a former world champion, you know they’ve been to the top and that’s where I want to get to. That experience alone is huge.
“I’ve watched a lot of tape, I know his style. He isn’t a young hungry lion like I am.
“When I came to the USA, I wanted to fight a former world champion or guys in the top five. We pushed and tried different guys, but they all turned the fight down. I applaud Mickey for stepping up. This is a real test for me.
“If I do make a big statement — and I will — the opportunities will be endless.”
Kambosos, a former training partner of Manny Pacquiao, is the No.3-ranked IBF light-heavyweight.
He knows victory against Bey would catapult him into instant world title contention, with potential fights against the winner of the IBF light-heavyweight title bout between Richard Commey and Teofimo Lopez or a mega fight against Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko, who holds the WBC, WBA and WBO belts. The Lomachenko fight could be in Australia.
“We could’ve sat in Sydney and kept fighting there,” Kambosos said. “The plan is to bring a huge world title fight to Australia.
“In Australia, it’s Aussie versus Aussie or footy player versus footy player. I respect everyone who steps into the ring, it takes a lot of courage. But I want to show the people of Australia real boxing.
“What’s happening in Australia is great but once I get the world title, I’ll show what real boxing is about.
“There’s been a lot of hype about me knowing I’ve been in camp with Pacquiao. The next move hinges on how much of a statement I make against Mickey.”
Originally published as Undefeated George Kambosos prepare for his shot at boxing glory