‘Head as a speedball’ sledge ignites Aussie rivalry between Liam Wilson and George Kambosos
Liam Wilson made a successful lightweight debut, and immediately called for a huge domestic blockbuster.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Liam Wilson doubled down on his callout of George Kambosos, and hit back at the former unified lightweight world champion’s social media comments.
‘Mr Damage’ made a stunning lightweight debut on Wednesday night, scoring a devastating knockout of Youssef Dib.
The former two-time world title challenger ended the bout with a signature savage left hook, which sent Dib to the canvas.
The Queenslander then immediately called out Kambosos, who he has been chasing since December.
“We’ve been calling for that fight for some time now and the move to lightweight was purely for that reason,” Wilson told this masthead. “I’ve got a couple of losses, but I’ve been in some of the hardest fights the world has seen, and that would be another one.
“Let’s do it for Australia. Australian fight fans deserve it. And doesn’t George want an all-Australian showdown? I do. Let’s get it happening.”
It was a back and forth sledge between Wilson and Kambosos that could ignite their rivalry.
Wilson kicked it off when he predicted Vasiliy Lomachenko would “use his head as a speedball” ahead of Kambosos’ world title fight with the Ukrainian legend.
In March, Wilson was in a fire fight against Oscar Valdez in Arizona, and was stopped in the eighth round.
Moments after the stoppage, Kambosos Tweeted: “Damn used his head as a speedball. #ouch”.
Damnn used his head as a speedball. #ouch
— George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr (@georgekambosos) March 30, 2024
Wilson hit back at that comment on Wednesday night, mentioning Kambosos’ brave 11th round stoppage loss to Lomachenko in May.
“Well, same as what Lomachenko did,” Wilson said when asked about the ‘speedball’ comment. “That’s fair. I’m calling him out right now.
“If he thinks I got folded by Valdez, the same thing happened with him and Lomachenko.
“I come to fight, I can punch and he’s a good boxer – he’s tough and durable.
“Can he take my damage, or will he outbox me? There’s only one way to find out.
“I’m sure he lies in bed at night thinking, ‘I really want an all-Australian showdown’
“I’m his dance partner, there’s no one else out there. Let’s get it out there.”
No Limit CEO George Rose said a fight between Wilson and Kambosos would rival the Tim Tszyu vs Jeff Horn blockbuster of 2020, and will work towards making it happen.
“Liam’s world class, he’s taking a step up in weight and now he needs a dancing partner,” Rose told this masthead. “George Kambosos is a great dancing partner for Liam Wilson.
“I think George would’ve got confidence out of watching tonight. I think he would’ve seen things he can probably excel in against Liam.
“George just had the massive fight against Lomachenko, which was a great opportunity for him, but he needs a bounce back fight to put him back at the top tier.
“What better way than a massive domestic match-up against the guy who’s put his hand up as the best lightweight in the country?”
Rose also weighed in on Kambosos’ Tweet following Wilson’s loss to Valdez.
“George speaks his mind and he spends a lot of time on Twitter,” he said. “When he reads this, he’ll know that Liam’s ready for it.
“He knows. He’s watching.”
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Head as a speedball’ sledge ignites Aussie rivalry between Liam Wilson and George Kambosos
Heartbroken Garside already called out for big-money fight
One domestic rival has wasted no time calling for a shot at Harry Garside after his Olympics heartbreak.
‘I want to be a dad one day’: Garside finds solace after loss
Australian boxer Harry Garside has found solace in what the next stage of life has in store outside the ring as he grapples with the disappointment of an Olympic campaign cut short.