‘No.1. Fullstop’: Who’s the king of Australian boxing? George Kambosos says it’s still him
George Kambosos will be out to solidify his claim as the nation’s pound-for-pound king, as well as reclaim a world title, when he takes on Vasiliy Lomachenko on Sunday.
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George Kambosos has blasted suggestions he has been dethroned by Tim Tszyu as Australian boxing’s top dog as ‘Ferocious’ eyes a possible rematch against American foe Teofimo Lopez.
Kambosos’ Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella revealed another big-money blockbuster against Lopez is an option if the Sydneysider can stun Vasiliy Lomachenko in Sunday’s IBF world-title bout in Perth.
Kambosos became the golden boy of Australian boxing when he shocked Lopez in November 2021, snatching four lightweight belts in one of the greatest upsets in the sport’s history.
But after losing all his crowns to Devin Haney in 2022, Kambosos was sent back to square one as countrymen Tszyu, Jai Opetaia, Sam Goodman, Liam Paro and Jason Moloney surged on the world stage.
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According to world-renowned fight almanac Boxrec, Kambosos is currently ranked No.6 on Australia’s pound-for-pound list.
Goodman has the top ranking ahead of Mackay mauler Paro, who fights for a world title next month, and Tszyu, who slipped to No.3 after his recent bloodbath loss to Sebastian Fundora in Vegas.
And while Tszyu is widely regarded as Australia’s most bankable boxing star, Kambosos is adamant he is still the king.
“I’m No.1. Fullstop,” Kambosos said as he ramped-up preparations for the Lomachenko showdown with a gym workout in Perth on Friday.
“I have the biggest fan base in the country.
“The reality is I beat Lopez, I fought Devin Haney twice in Australia and I’m now facing Lomachenko in another huge fight on our turf.
“I have won six world titles and I’m fighting for my seventh.
“I am selling out arenas. No-one else in Australia matches me. I feel the love. You get the handful of critics who misunderstand my confidence, but these are people who wouldn’t dare to jump in the ring and test themselves.”
Kambosos stressed he has no personal issue with Tszyu, with the pair having known each other since their teens, when Ferocious learnt his craft under Tim’s uncle-trainer Igor Goloubev.
“I’m just stating the facts, the fans know the facts,” he said.
“Whenever we talk numbers, Kambosos is the biggest fish in this country.
“I’m proven. I’ve fought and won all over the world.
“Even Lomachenko said the other day Kambosos is the top dog in Australia.
“How do you get bigger than the show we did with Haney? We got 40,000 fans to Marvel (Stadium) and then another 12,000 (for the Haney rematch) at Rod Laver and this time it’s a 16,000 sellout in Perth.
“I’ve sold 70,000 tickets for my three world-title fights here in Australia.
“I’m not arrogant. I am confident. I have put my life into this boxing craft so why wouldn’t I be confident?
“Do people expect me to sit here and say, ‘Oh, I might lose, I’m not good enough for Lomachenko’.
“No way, I’m coming to win this fight.”
DiBella said a Kambosos boilover on Sunday could open the door for a rematch with Lopez, who has since moved up to super lightweight and holds the WBO title.
“There’s nothing contractual (stating a Lopez rematch), but George beat Teofimo clearly,” DiBella said.
“So win, lose or draw, George still has that Lopez fight as a possibility in his future.
“I really believe that George will give one of the great performances of his career on Sunday.
“I’m not sitting here saying he will definitely beat Lomachenko, but I would not be surprised at all.
“Never under-estimate George Kambosos. He is a real warrior.
“He has huge balls.”
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