‘I wish he was still here to see this fight’: George Kambosos to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko with spirit of coach in his corner

This Sunday, when George Kambosos Jr. takes on Vasiliy Lomachenko for the IBF lightweight title, in Perth, the 30-year-old Australian will have the spirit of a very special person with him all the way.

George Kambosos Jr. reflects on his late coach, Chris Bakis. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

George Kambosos has opened up about the tragic death of the trainer who helped him become a champion as ‘Ferocious’ prepares to shock the boxing world all over again.

Kambosos has spoken for the first time about the sudden passing of his former trainer Chris Bakis ahead of Sunday’s world-title blockbuster against Ukraine legend Vasiliy Lomachenko in Perth.

Kambosos is no stranger to tragedy. Before his stunning world-title boilover of Teofimo Lopez in 2021, Kambosos lost his grandfather and now the Spartan warrior declared he will have the spirit of Bakis in his corner when he faces Lomachenko at Perth’s RAC Arena.

George Kambosos with his late trainer Chris Bakis. Picture: Supplied

One of Sydney’s most respected boxing trainers, Bakis died unexpectedly last year and was in Kambosos’ corner for the first 14 fights of his career that delivered Australian and Oceania lightweight titles.

“It was tough to see Chris pass away,” Kambosos said.

“We were very close friends for a long time.

“He was a guy I looked up to and unfortunately the passing of Chris was very sudden and a real shock.

“I was there to see him be buried and see his send off.

“Chris always said there was one fight he would love to see and that was me against Lomachenko.”

This Sunday’s encounter is the fight his late coach wanted to see. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Kambosos used American trainer Javiel Centeno for his epic defeat of Lopez in November 2021, but after losing his first unification fight to Devin Haney in June 2022 in Melbourne, he reunited with Bakis for the rematch at Rod Laver Arena.

“I wish Chris was still here to see this fight,” Kambosos said.

“I was shocked by his passing, but that’s life, it can be taken really quick, really sudden, and that’s always a reminder to make the most of life.

“We have his memory and the warrior spirit that he had and Chris will be on my shoulder in this fight.

“I can feel his spirit with me and he will be in the battle with my whole team.

“I want to do him proud on Sunday and he will be smiling from above when I get the result and beat Lomachenko.”

Kambosos accepts most pundits give him no chance of upsetting Lomachenko. The Ukrainian legend boasts a remarkable amateur record, having lost just once from a staggering 388 bouts before winning his first world title in just his third professional fight.

But at 36, Lomachenko is in his twilight years and Kambosos is primed to go for the jugular – just as he did against Lopez, who beat ‘Loma’ in October 2020 to clinch three lightweight titles.

“I will shock the world all over again,” Kambosos said.

“I love being the underdog.

“I love being the guy everyone writes off and where I have nothing to lose.

“Everyone thinks Loma is this big favourite and this boxing legend and that’s fine, that’s the mentality.

“But I have been in this position many times. Lopez found out the hard way that I am a dog, I love getting in the trenches.

“Lomachenko best beware because he is facing a man willing to do anything in this fight.

“This is a different Kambosos (to the man who lost his world titles to Haney).

“This is the best version of me people will ever see.

“Lomachenko will find out on Sunday.”

Originally published as ‘I wish he was still here to see this fight’: George Kambosos to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko with spirit of coach in his corner