George Kambosos v Devin Haney: Huge blow to Kambosos rematch plans

George Kambosos has been handed one final uppercut after losing his world title fight. Here’s what comes next for the Australian boxing superstar.

The talk is over, and the fight is finally here. Picture: Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Devin Haney has given George Kambosos one final uppercut, telling the vanquished Australian not to bother with a re-match after the American’s history-making masterclass at Marvel Stadium.

The 23-year-old phenom became the first lightweight unified champion of the four-belt era — and the eighth undisputed king across all divisions — after outclassing Kambosos to score a unanimous points verdict on Sunday.

Under the terms of Kambosos’ world-title defence, ‘Ferocious’ has a re-match clause as part of a two-fight deal.

Haney’s promoter Bob Arum confirmed the re-match can only be held in Australia at one of three cities between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

After unifying the division, Haney has not ruled out stepping up to super lightweight, a scenario that would see the lightweight belts vacated, potentially giving rise to a Kambosos-Vasiliy Lomachenko blockbuster Down Under.

Devin Haney of the US (L) against Australia's George Kambosos (R). Picture: AFP

Kambosos is hungry for revenge with a Marvel Stadium re-match against Haney in October or November this year, but ‘The Dream’ warned his fallen rival to brace for another beating.

“There’s nothing he can do to have success in a re-match,” Haney said after raining on Kambosos’ world-title parade.

“I can’t really say what he needs to change (for a second fight) because whatever he does, I will be prepared for.

“If they (the Kambosos camp) are up for it, then I’m up for it.”

Asked if he will step up to the 140-pound class and vacate the lightweight belts, Haney said: “I am a huge 135-pounder. It has to make good business sense (to leave the division).”

Kambosos’ fall has been as dramatic as his rise. The defence of his slew of world-title belts collapsed at the first hurdle. But the Spartan warrior insists he is not dead-and-buried and can recover to shock Haney in a re-match.

“I will bounce back hungrier than ever,” he said.

“I think we will be back here in Melbourne and I am very proud to have brought a great fight for Australian boxing.

“I was knocked down by Teofimo Lopez, but I got up and won the championships. I was defeated by Haney, but I will go back to the drawing board and change game plans.

“Let’s hope Devin stays at 135 and we do it again. I have to get those belts back now ... I have to.”

Devin Haney was all class against George Kambosos in Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

Fight report: Dream turns to nightmare as Kambosos loses belts

The Dream is George Kambosos‘ worst nightmare.

The Emperor has lost all his clothes - and belts - with Kambosos‘ maiden world-title defence ending in tears as Devin Haney made history by outclassing the Australian to sensationally gatecrash his Marvel party in Melbourne.

Before 41,129 fans at Marvel Stadium, Kambosos (20-1, 10KO) was left devastated, surrendering the IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise belts after a unanimous points loss to WBC champion Haney in a disastrous maiden title defence.

Haney (28-0, 15KO) confirmed his greatness as an American boxing phenom, dismantling Kambosos (116-112, 116-112, 118-110) to become the first lightweight unified champion of the four-belt era.

The slick American also became the eighth undisputed champion of the four-belt era, slicing and dicing the brave Kambosos with an incessant jab, fast feet and the composure that belies his 23 years.

For Kambosos, it was a painful, heartbreaking homecoming.

It was his first professional career defeat in his first domestic fight in five years - and came less than seven months after he shocked the world by upsetting Teofimo Lopez to steal the IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC Franchise belts.

Ferocious walked to the ring with a slew of shimmering belts behind him.

Now he is empty-handed after being mugged by Haney, who was too fast and sharp and withstood a desperate late flurry from Kambosos to cruise home on points.

Haney lands a big right hand. Picture: Michael Klein

“This is a dream come true. I knew this was a big moment,” Haney said.

“It would have hurt me to win this without my dad so I‘m glad he was here in my corner.

“I was comfortable. I was sticking to the game plan to hit and not get hit.

“I fought a smart fight.

“I handicapped him of his best things. He wanted to land the overhand right and he couldn‘t hit with me with his left hook either.”

“If the next fight happens, I will be back.”

As part of this $15 million super fight, there is a re-match clause and Kambosos vowed to be back at Marvel later this year to avenge his loss to Haney.

“He didn‘t want to come to fight too much, I have to change a few things and I will get him back later this year,” he said.

“It‘s amazing for the sport. I wanted to take the biggest test and he gets my full respect.

“At the end of the day, not many wanted to fight him, but I fought him.

“I landed a few shots, but he had a smart game plan and did what he had to do to win.

“He got the decision and respect to him.”

Despite entering the ring amid a chorus of boos, Haney looked composed and he started well with some slick jabs against a watchful Kambosos, who barely threw a punch in the opening 60 seconds.

Kambosos came alive late in the first round, landing a good right on Haney before ramping-up his attack in the second, again catching the American with a powerful right that represented the best punch of the opening six minutes.

Kambosos picked up the pace late in the fight as he searched for a knockout. Picture: Michael Klein

Haney fought back well in the third. He was busier and not only caught Kambosos with his trademark - his quicksilver jab - but finally made use of his right as he moved to counter the Australian‘s aggression.

A feature of the early rounds was Haney‘s electric feet and he repeatedly tagged Kambosos with his jab, but Ferocious delivered the best punch of a tame fourth round with a late left hook that penetrated The Dream’s defences.

Kambosos‘ counter-punching and workrate was a feature of his boilover of Teofimo Lopez last November, but while Lopez was largely complacent, this time Haney was a fitter and more nimble opponent.

While Haney lacks Lopez‘s power, he has superb boxing IQ and his evasion helped him avoid some wild punches as Kambosos struggled to find his range.

By the end of the fifth, Kambosos had noticeable marks on his face, largely a by-product of Haney‘s incessant jabbing, but the Sydney slugger appeared to claim the sixth with a sweet left hook that ignited the Marvel crowd.

Haney was sharp all afternoon. Picture: Michael Klein

In the seventh round, Haney looked the fresher fighter. Ever the warrior, Kambosos tried to press, but he was largely kept at bay by a left jab that kept peppering his rival‘s face.

The Dream was in control in the eighth. Sensing Kambosos was under the pump, the Marvel crowd roared and their home favourite responded, catching Haney with a left hook that triggered hope of a furious Ferocious finish.

Perhaps suspecting he was well behind on points, Kambosos had his best round in the ninth, landing three clean right hands which rocked the American. Haney went down at one point in the ninth, but it was more the result of an NRL-style collision than a legitimate Kambosos blow.

Kambosos needed a miracle finish in the championship rounds, but Haney looked equally sharp and fit in the final six minutes. He oozed class in the 11th and stayed out of trouble in the final round to plunge the dagger into Spartan warrior Kambosos.

Kambosos vs Haney: Live updates, highlights and results

- By Brendan Bradford

We’re going to the judges’ scorecards!

Round Twelve - Haney takes even fewer risks as Kambosos goes all out looking for a comeback knockout win. Kambosos swings until the final bell, and we go to the cards.

Round Eleven - Kambosos is all heart, marked up and walking forward looking for a stoppage. But Haney is taking no risks, staying on the end of his jab and deflecting the most dangerous punches.

Round Ten - Kambosos does his best to make it a scrap, but Haney’s jab is on point. The Aussie lands a few, but most of his shots hit the gloves or shoulders.

Round Nine - Kambosos needs to make it a war, and that’s exactly what he tries to do at the start of the ninth. Haney hits the canvas and the crowd goes wild, but it’s ruled a slip. A big overhand right is one of Kambosos’ best shots of the night in the closing minute of the round.

Round Eight - Kambosos is landing harder, more telling shots, but it’s Haney who is landing more and controlling the tempo of the bout. There’s a few marks around Kambosos’ left eye as well. Kambosos presses the action to the bell as the crowd starts to get into it.

Round Seven - Kambosos remains as dangerous as ever, but Haney is largely in control here as we head into the second half of the bout. Haney’s distance, timing and speed are very telling.

Round Six - A big left hook was Kambosos’ best shot of the round as Haney looked to stay at distance for the opening two minutes.

Round Five - Kambosos was the aggressor and landed some nice shots, but nothing that worried Haney too much.

Round Four - A relatively slower round, with Haney looking to target Kambosos’ midsection.

Round Three - Haney is starting to sit down on his punches a bit more in the third. Kambosos takes a few shots, but lands some big counters as well in close.

Round Two - Haney continues jabbing very well, and manages to slip Kambosos’ counters. The Aussie is throwing with more venom and power though, and lands a good shot just over a minute in.

Round One - Haney gets started with a nice jab early. Kambosos lands a left hook, and looks to counter, but Haney’s jab is the story of the first round. The goes nuts every time Kambosos gets close to landing.

1:32pm - We’re underway!!

1:25pm - George Kambosos is in the ring and Michael Buffer is making his final introductions.

1:15pm - Devin Haney made us wait five minutes before making his ring walk, but the American is now in the ring.

1:10pm - The legendary Michael Buffer is in the ring, and anthems are done.

A fight prediction with the Cheese!

.@storm’s Brandon Smith gives his predictions 🧀🧀#KambososVsHaneypic.twitter.com/2ibYXdmwkC

— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) June 5, 2022

American viewers tuning into the George Kambosos v Devin Haney lightweight blockbuster have been left furious after broadcasters elected not to air two swing bouts on the undercard.

While fans in attendance at Marvel Stadium watched a heavyweight clash between Hemi Ahio and Christian Tsoye and a cruiserweight bout featuring David Nyika and Karim Maatalla, US viewers were left watching promo clips and interviews for well over an hour.

Veteran boxing scribes Dan Rafael and Kevin Iole were furious at the treatment.

I am told by somebody involved in the #KambososHaney event who is on the ground in Melbourne that ESPN “elected not to show the swings.” Hence nothing but bullshit talk for 90 minutes at this point.

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) June 5, 2022

WTF is ESPN doing with all these delays on the fights? They showed the same piece on Kambosos twice during this time. There ARE fights in the ring, guys. This is absolute GARBAGE. #KambososHaney

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 5, 2022

The two swing bouts were fought before Jason Moloney’s win over Aston Palicte, which was the second to last fight before the main event.

Tsoye looked dangerous in the first round, but refused to come out for the second round, saying he had injured his right arm.

The early finish to that bout saw the Nyika-Maalatta staged as well. Olympic bronze medalist Nyika scored a slick unanimous decision win.

American viewers wouldn’t have been impressed with the boos that rang out during their anthem either.

A few boos for the US anthem. #KambososHaneypic.twitter.com/AMhw1rwohF

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) June 5, 2022

12:30 - Aussie favourite Jason Moloney scores a third round TKO win over Aston Palicte!

Moloney floored Palicte once with a perfect right hand straight down the pipe. Palicte did we to stand back up, but copped another barrage of punishment before going down again.

Moloney, who has designs on fighting for a world title later in the year, celebrated with Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum after the win.

12:20pm - In the second swing bout of the afternoon, Kiwi cruiserweight David Nyika scored a unanimous decision win over Karim Maatalla.

Nyika won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year and has been training with Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker in England.

11:45am - More drama and confusion on the undercard! Christian Tsoye doesn’t come out for the second round of his heavyweight bout with Hemi Ahio.

Tsoye, who was stopped by Justis Huni last year, was swinging with venom for the first three minutes, but remained on his stool at the start of the second round.

Tsoye indicated to the ringside doctor that he’d injured his right arm, with Ahio claiming a TKO win.

11:25am - Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne has scored a stunning first round knockout of New Zealand heavyweight star Junior Fa on the undercard to George Kambosos Jr’s lightweight title fight with Devin Haney.

The 43-year-old former heavyweight champion landed a big right hand right behind Fa’s ear, flooring the Kiwi slugger midway through the opening round.

Fa regained his feet, shook off some cobwebs and continued, but the end wasn’t far away.

Another big right hand saw Fa slump to the canvas for a second time and the bout was waved off.

It’s a huge comeback for Browne, who was knocked out by Paul Gallen in the first round in May last year.

Fa is a decent prospect from across the ditch, but has lost his last two fights after a decision defeat to Joseph Parker last year.

“I never left” says Lucas Browne. pic.twitter.com/rNAl87wEqV

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) June 5, 2022

11am - There’s been early controversy on the Kambosos-Haney undercard, with Kambosos’ training partner and mate Terry Nickolas coming away with a majority draw against Lachlan Higgins on the undercard.

Higgins enjoyed a healthy size advantage and used his power to put Nickolas on the back foot for the majority of the fight.

Most ringside observers had Higgins winning the six round fight comfortably.

Boos rang out around Marvel Stadium as the scores were read out, with the judges seeing it 58-56 Higgins, 57-57 and 57-57.

Terry Nickolas (L) scrapes a draw against Lachlan Higgins. Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images

Billy Dib’s prediction

We caught up with former world champion Billy Dib for his prediction on the main event.

“It’s going to be a very difficult fight, and George is going to need to be the best George Kambosos to beat Devin Haney,” Dib said.

“Devin’s highly skilled, talented and silky smooth.

“If George can line it all up like he did against Teo, then he’ll pull it off.”

.@1bbradfo ringside with @BillyDib 🥊#KambososVsHaneypic.twitter.com/nhBS2xpEY6

— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) June 5, 2022

10:20 - Taylah Robertson scores a one-sided unanimous decision win over Sarah Higginson. A rising star, Robertson moves to 5-1, with another win since her decision defeat to veteran ‘Shotgun’ Shannon O’Connell last year.

10: 15am - George Kambosos’ shock weigh in miss could be a benefit in the long run, with the Aussie’s dad, Jim, saying the drama sold an extra 5000 seats.

Kambosos missed weight when he hit the scales on Saturday morning, before coming in well below the 135-pound lightweight limit just over an hour later.

Speaking to News Corp, Jim Kambosos said the drama has already increased interest in the bout.

“I look at it as an upside as well, we probably sold another 5000 seats and who knows how many pay per views,” he said.

“I know the numbers have been good in the US with ESPN. Over 250,000 people tuned in on ESPN for the second weigh in, which is pretty cool.

“There’s always an upside to controversy.”

“There’s an upside to controversy.”@georgekambosos’ dad Jim is looking at the positives after yesterday’s #KambososVsHaney weigh-in.

🎙@1bbradfopic.twitter.com/Cmtazv929i

— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) June 4, 2022

10am - Yoel Angeloni beats Ken Aitken in a four round welterweight bout by unanimous decision.

9:30am - We’re underway at Marvel Stadium with Pom Thanawut Phetkum beating Hussein Fayad by unanimous decision.

The #KambososHaney card is officially underway!

Phetkum vs Fayad 🥊 pic.twitter.com/gHFn8liz3I

— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) June 4, 2022

How to watch Kambosos vs Haney?

Kambosos vs Haney will be shown live and exclusive on Main Event pay per view.

You can order the fight here.

What time is Kambosos vs Haney?

The event is being staged to coincide with prime time on the West Coast of America, so the undercard will get started on Sunday morning.

Kambosos and Haney are scheduled to walk to the ring at 1:30pm AEST.

The undercard will start at 9:30am, and the Main Event pay per view begins at 11am.

Kambosos vs Haney undercard

It’s a stacked undercard, featuring 12 bouts including some of the best talent from Australia and New Zealand.

MAIN CARD - From 11am
George Kambosos v Devin Haney - 12 rounds for WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring lightweight world titles

Jason Moloney v Aston Palicte - 10 rounds at bantamweight

Junior Fa v Lucas Browne - 10 rounds at heavyweight

Swing Bouts:

Hemi Ahio v Christian Tsoye - Eight rounds at heavyweight

David Nyika v Karim Maatalla - Four or six rounds at cruiserweight

Post Bouts:

Andrew Moloney v Alexander Espinoza - Eight rounds at super-flyweight

Amari Jones v Ankush Hooda - Six rounds at super-welterweight

UNDERCARD- From 9.30am AEST
Terry Nickolas v Lachlan Higgins - Six rounds at super-welterweight

Isaias Sette v Luke Gersbeck - Four rounds at super-welterweight

Hussein Fayad v Pom Thanawut Phetkum - Four rounds at super-featherweight

Taylah Robertson v Sarah Higginson - Five rounds at super-flyweight

Yoel Angeloni v Ken Aitken - Four rounds at welterweight

George Kambosos record

Kambosos has a perfect record of 20-0 since debuting in May 2013.

The Sydneysider has 10 wins by knockout, most recently dispatching Richard Pena in the sixth round in 2019.

Kambosos’ last three wins, against Lopez, Lee Selby and Mickey Bey, have all come via split decision.

Devin Haney record

Haney’s record stands at 27-0, with 15 wins by knockout.

His last four fights have all gone the distance, and his most recent stoppage win came over Zaur Abdullaev in 2019.

Originally published as George Kambosos v Devin Haney: Huge blow to Kambosos rematch plans