Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. to reportedly defend belt on home soil

Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. will reportedly defend his world title belt on home soil later this year.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: George Kambosos Jr poses with the belts he won after his championship bout for Lopezs Undisputed Lightweight title at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2021 in New York, New York (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. will defend his belt on home soil later this year, with the boxer’s next bout reportedly on the verge of being confirmed.

ESPN has reported Kambosos will defend his undisputed lightweight championship at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on the afternoon of Sunday, June 5.

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According to the report, Ukraine fighter Vasiliy Lomachenko is the frontrunner for the title shot, already agreeing to a deal that includes a rematch clause for a return bout in Australia if Kambosos loses.

Marvel Stadium, which can accommodate approximately 55,000 spectators, was scheduled to host an AFL game that Sunday, but the Melbourne government, stadium officials and league officials have helped move the contest to a different day.

Lomachenko is coming off two consecutive wins after undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. The two-time Olympic gold medallist boasts a 16-2 (11 KOs) professional record.

Sources: George Kambosos is slated to make first defense of undisputed lightweight championship on June 5 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. June 5 is a Sunday which allows for prime-time U.S., telecast on June 4. Fight expected against Vasiliy Lomachenko or Devin Haney

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) February 15, 2022

Lomachenko's message to Top Rank has been clear: Get me the Kambosos fight. Whatever financial sacrifices Lomachenko has to make for a shot at becoming a four-belt champion, he's willing to make.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 15, 2022

In November, Kambosos shocked the boxing world by claiming a split decision victory over Teofimo Lopez at New York’s Madison Square Garden to secure the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles.

The Sydney-based fighter was given no chance by commentators and no respect by his undefeated opponent — but he silenced them with a 115-111, 115-112, 113-114 split decision victory.

Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) scored a first-round knockdown and survived a 10th-round knockdown to pull off the stunning win.

It was a triumph that had commentators on global combat sport streaming broadcaster DAZN declaring it the biggest win in Australian boxing history.

George Kambosos poses at Sydney Airport. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“Did I change all week? Have I changed my whole career? Never,” Kambosos said in the ring.

“I believe in myself, I back myself. I said it time after time, you may not believe it but I believe in myself and look at me now, I’ve got all the jewels.

“I’m not the king — you’ve got the four kings — I’m the emperor because I come to every other country and I take them out one by one. All respect to him. Thank you New York City, Madison Square Garden, I love you all.”

Originally published as Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. to reportedly defend belt on home soil