George Kambosos urged to consider boxing future after Vasiliy Lomachenko defeat

Kambosos’ promoter says the boxer needs to carefully consider what’s next, ruling out big-money rematch and slamming calls for local blockbuster: ‘No one gives a f**k about Liam Wilson.’

George Kambosos put in a courageous performance against Vasiliy Lomachenko. Picture: Top Rank/Mikey Williams

George Kambosos has been urged to move up in weight if he wants to keep fighting, or consider retirement if his heart is no longer in it.

Speaking after his 11th round TKO loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko on Sunday, Kambosos’ promoter Lou di Bella also said the Aussie must work his way back to a big-money rematch with Teofimo Lopez, while slamming any talk of a domestic blockbuster against Liam Wilson.

The future remains uncertain for Kambosos after a courageous display against Lomachenko.

The 30-year-old shocked the world when he upset Lopez in 2021 to become unified lightweight world champion, but di Bella admitted a rematch is not the next fight to make.

Kambosos shocked the world when he beat Teofimo Lopez. Picture: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

“You’d never go straight to the Lopez fight coming off this,” the promoter said. “He has to figure out what he wants to do.

“Then there’s one intermediate step if he’s gonna pursue Lopez. Maybe one fight at 140-pounds (super-lightweight), because Lopez isn’t fighting at 135 anymore.

“Maybe coming up in weight and not having to worry about making weight might be a plus.

“If George is going to continue to campaign, my recommendation would be to move up in weight, because that’s where your big fight is going to be.”

Di Bella won’t pressure ‘Ferocious’ to make a decision either.

“There’s a lot of stress in fighting these giant events, and also in not winning them,” he said. “He’s lost a couple of big fights, and getting stopped for the first time in his life.

Lomachenko floors Kambosos in the 11th round. Picture: Top Rank/Mikey Williams

“I want him to take a bit of time.

“I’d rather him not come back and quit if that’s where his head’s at.

“It’s a matter of what’s going to make him happy, and it’s a family decision. He’s economically comfortable. It’s not a necessity, it’s about what makes his family happy.

“If he comes back and looks good in a comeback fight, I believe the Teofimo Lopez fight will always be there for him.

“But you don’t run to that fight if your head ain’t in it. It’s a much more dangerous sport if you’re not there emotionally.”

Meanwhile, di Bella emphatically hosed down any suggestion Kambosos would fight Queensland’s Wilson.

The former super-featherweight world title challenger is coming off his own brave defeat at the hands of Oscar Valdez in March, but has spoken about moving up in weight to challenge Kambosos.

Liam Wilson called out Kambosos late last year. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

It would be a big domestic fight, but di Bella argued it doesn’t have any broader appeal.

“No one gives a f**k about Liam Wilson,” he said. “It might be a fight of significance here, but it’s not a fight of significance anywhere else.

“Liam had a step up fight (against Valdez) and lost.

“Liam Wilson’s never been in there with the highest level of guys. I’m not doubting him, I’m not saying anything negative about him. He’s a prize fighter, but it just doesn’t mean anything.

“To fight a domestic level fight, without any worldwide interest – and that’s what a Liam Wilson fight would be – I don’t see it as something on the. I never thought about it twice.”

Originally published as George Kambosos urged to consider boxing future after Vasiliy Lomachenko defeat