‘He won’t match me’: George Kambosos is full of confidence for Sunday’s bout despite racism claim
George Kambosos is full of confidence heading into Sunday’s bout against Vasiliy Lomachenko, with the Aussie claiming he has ‘bigger balls’ than the Ukrainian, amid racism allegations about a change in referees.
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George Kambosos has declared he has “bigger balls” than Vasiliy Lomachenko and claims the Ukraine legend is mentally scarred by failing to match the Australian’s world-title heroics in the lightweight division.
Kambosos’ shot at Lomachenko came as his father and manager Jim denied he is racist after calling for a Japanese referee to be axed for Sunday’s IBF world-title blockbuster at Perth’s RAC Arena.
Boxing: Lomachenko v Kambosos IBF Lightweight World Title Fight | Sunday, 12 MAY 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Kambosos looked in supreme shape at Saturday’s weigh-in. He initially failed to make weight for his first fight against Devin Haney in 2022 but ‘Ferocious’ had no trouble this time making the 135-pound limit, tipping the scales at a rippling 134.2lbs, slightly lighter than Lomachenko (134.9lbs).
The Sydneysider shocked the boxing world with his stunning boilover of Teofimo Lopez in November 2021 to snatch four belts and become the king of the lightweight division.
Lomachenko lost to Lopez in 2020 and also failed in his bid to become undisputed champion in his most recent fight against Devin Haney last May - evidence for Kambosos that the 36-year-old is tortured by battle scars.
“When it comes to heart, he won’t match me,” Kambosos said ahead of Sunday’s death-or-glory clash before a 16,000 sellout.
“When it comes to will, spirit, heart and big balls, I have the big Aussie balls ... and he won’t handle my pressure.
“We know what Lomachenko has achieved in the sport, but he hasn’t achieved what I have.
“I have been undisputed champion, no matter what people say.
“I had all four belts in the game.
“I am the only guy in Australian boxing history who has done that. He has never matched what I did and that lingers in his head.
“I have won the biggest fights. I beat Lopez. He couldn’t beat Lopez and he couldn’t beat Haney to be undisputed.
“I know that plays in the back of his head and I’m going to take advantage of it.”
The world-title showdown was rocked by a fresh controversy, with Kambosos Sr calling for Japanese referee Katsuhiko Nakamura to be replaced by Englishman Steve Gray.
Nakamura controlled Kambosos’ second fight against Haney, which the Australian lost decisively on points, but Kambosos Sr failed in his bid for Gray to be appointed.
“It’s true, I didn’t want Nakamura as the main referee,” Jim Kambosos said.
“I’m not being racist on this one.
“I wanted to have an English referee. I wanted to make sure there is clear and concise communication in the ring.
“Anyway, I lost the battle with the IBF. Nakamura will be the referee, but it wasn’t a racism thing.”
There is a view that Lomachenko’s best is simply better than Kambosos’ best.
The Ukraine phenom lost just once in 397 amateur fights, is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and became a three-division champion after just 12 fights - eclipsing Jeff Fenech’s previous record of 20 bouts.
It’s a boxing resume that has Lomachenko raging favourite to hand Kambosos a third loss from his past four fights, but the 30-year-old Sydneysider insists another Lopez-style boilover is brewing.
“I am feeling like I did against Lopez, but even better,” he said.
“We are two different fighters. Lomachenko is a technician. I am a dog.
“When he gets hit, he goes into his shell and covers up. When I get hit, I hit back. I am a warrior.
“I am prepared to walk through any fire and I don’t believe ‘Loma’ wants to go through whatever it takes.
“He doesn’t want to get hurt in this fight and I am coming to bring the pain.
“They fear me and are wary of what I can do.
“I am going to shock the boxing world all over again.”
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Originally published as ‘He won’t match me’: George Kambosos is full of confidence for Sunday’s bout despite racism claim
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