Global superstars jet in to Melbourne for George Kambosos vs Devin Haney boxing match
Australia’s newest sporting hero George Kambosos will have plenty of high profile support at his world title fight in Melbourne this weekend.
Victoria
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Aussie boxer George Kambosos Jnr will have more than home support on his side when he fights for a world title on Sunday – he will have Melbourne’s large and proud Greek community in his corner too.
The biggest Greek community outside Greece will cheer its newest favourite sporting hero as the Sydney-born son of Hellenic grandparents takes on US star Devin Haney at Marvel Stadium.
The celebrity set is also jetting into Melbourne for the blockbuster event expected to draw 50,000 fans including US basketball superstar Damian Lillard, tennis ace Nick Kyrgios and Aussie rapper The Kid Laroi.
Kambosos Jnr told the Herald Sun he took his heritage seriously and would use it as motivation in a fight that will determine the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
“I’m truly humbled by my heritage being behind me and my country being behind me,’’ he said.
“It’s an amazing feeling and it’s just so motivating knowing that they are in my corner.
“I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get my victory.’’
“Ferocious” Kambosos Jnr said he was also proud of the starring role he was helping play in Melbourne’s major event comeback.
“It’s a beautiful feeling knowing that I can bring this back here to Melbourne, to Australia,’’ he said.
“It’s the biggest boxing fight ever, unbelievable sporting event but business is not done yet.
“Sunday – that is when it counts so I’m excited.’’
In a sign of the global appeal of the event that will be beamed live into the US, six time NBA All Star Lillard is flying to Melbourne just to watch the fight.
Boxing royalty Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Fenech, Danny Green and Anthony Mundine, rugby great Sonny Bill Williams and AFL stars Dustin Martin and Bailey Smith are also expected ringside.
It comes as Melburnians prepare for one of our biggest weekends of live sport, music and theatre for more than two years.
More than 100,000 fans will flock to Victorian events over the next few days, including sold out Kid Laroi shows at Rod Laver Arena on Friday and Saturday.
Capacity crowds continue to flock to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre and Hamilton at Her Majesty’s Theatre.
And Collingwood and Hawthorn, Melbourne and Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and Geelong will square off in AFL action.
Geoff Jones, chief executive of live entertainment and sport giant TEG, said: “Melbourne is well and truly back’’.
“It came alive again at the Grand Prix in April and this coming weekend the city is jam packed with top-flight live sport, music and theatre, easily our biggest weekend in Melbourne for more than two years,’’ he said.
There had also been “very strong sales” for English Premier League giant Manchester United’s July matches against Crystal Palace and Melbourne Victory at the MCG.
“It is all fantastic news for Melburnians and Victorians, who have well and truly earned their chance to go out and enjoy the unbeatable magic of live entertainment once again,’’ he said.
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