George Kambosos v Devin Haney: Visa backflip opens door for Devin Haney’s father to be in his corner

Devin Haney was resigned to being without the most important voice in his corner when taking on George Kambosos on Australian soil - a late visa twist has changed everything.

George Kambosos gave his rival both barrels. Picture: Tim Pascoe

The Australian government has granted Devin Haney’s father and trainer Bill a visa in a shock development on the eve of the American’s world-title blockbuster against George Kambosos.

Ahead of today’s official weigh-in, News Corp can reveal Bill Haney is poised to touch down in Australia in a massive boost for his American son just 24 hours out from the historic unification bout at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

Haney Snr has succeeded in his desperate battle to arrive Down Under after originally being rejected by the Australian government due to a 30-year-old drug conviction.

A source close to Bill Haney confirmed he received official notification from government authorities on Friday night that he has been granted an Australian visa.

The Haney camp urgently booked a flight for ‘The Dream’s’ most trusted voice to be in his son’s corner in time for the biggest fight in Australian boxing history on Sunday.

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Boxer Devin Haney boxes during his final public work out at Federation Square. Picture: AFP

The development has huge ramifications for Haney, the reigning WBC champion who was preparing to face ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos without the help of his father, instead relying on his replacement Yoel Judah.

But Haney will now be reunited with his most important voice when he enters the ring against Kambosos before 50,000 screaming fans at Marvel.

As revealed by News Corp on Thursday, boxing bosses had banned Haney from using an earpiece to communicate with his father, watching a live feed in America, for coaching tips in between rounds.

Haney was resigned to being without his father, but in what could be an ominous portent, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a slice of good fortune with Australian authorities.

The Dream’s promoter Bob Arum said the American’s camp had done everything possible to convince the Australian government Haney Snr is a person of good repute.

“Thirty years ago Bill had a criminal offence in the United States. Since then, he has had an impeccable record,” Arum said on Thursday.

Haney will have his father in his corner after the Australian government approved his visa. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“The Victorian government has been very helpful in trying to get a visa approved for Bill to be out here supporting Devin.

“Bill is a huge influence on Devin. He has been the chief trainer throughout his kid’s career and suddenly he is without him.

“We were planning to set up a studio in the United States for his father to watch the fight on television.

“Between rounds, he would have an earpiece to communicate with Devin.

“In 57 years of boxing, I have never seen anything like this. I have never seen a trainer on the other side of the world giving advice to his boxer via an earpiece.”

At the official press conference on Friday morning, Haney had no inkling of a potential visa approval. He said he was prepared to steal Kambosos’ belts with or without his father.

“If I felt like it (not having his father in his corner) was a factor, then I wouldn’t be here,” Haney said.

“I came here with my mindset on not leaving without the belts and I’m not doing anything different.

“Come Sunday I will come out undisputed by any means necessary.”

‘Let him in’: Kambosos’ bizarre demand to Government

Nick Smart

George Kambosos Jr has called on the Federal Goverment to let the father of opponent Devin Haney into the country for Sunday’s showdown at Marvel Stadium, saying he wants “no excuses” when he becomes the world’s undisputed lightweight champion.

The two fighters came face-to-face for the first time in Melbourne on Monday, with the Australian boxing star labelling his American opponent a “rat” and an “informant” in a fiery pre-fight verbal barrage.

Haney arrived in Australia last week, however his father and head trainer Bill was not able to make the journey due to visa issues stemming from a federal drug conviction in 1992.

George Kambosos Jr has called on the Federal Government to let the father and trainer of Devin Haney into the country ahead of their fight. Picture: Tony Gough

“To any government officials watching this, let the man in,” Kambosos said.

“I’m serious, let him in (because) I want no excuses, so let the man in.

“I’ve got no issue with his father being here, I’ve got my father here.”

Haney, who doubted his Aussie opponent’s sincerity, said the absence of his father would have no effect on his bid to dethrone Kambosos on his home turf.

“We’re still working to get him in, but it’s not really looking like he’ll be able to,” Haney said.

“We’re still hoping that he can, but it is what it is.

“Things have definitely been different without my father here, but the show goes on and this is a dream of mine.

“My father’s not here, but I’m not leaving without those belts.”

While Kambosos is happy to have Haney’s father in Australia, he cheekily said he was surprised his opponent was allowed into the country.

Haney’s father and head trainer was denied entry into Australia due to a federal drug conviction in 1992. Picture: Tony Gough

Kambosos labelled Haney an “informant”, revealing the American had sent him messages about the inner details of Teofimo Lopez’s camp ahead of the Aussie’s battle with him last November.

“This guy is a rat. Teofimo Lopez fight against a foreigner, he was messaging me. He was telling me all the details,” Kambosos said.

“Teo at the hookah lounge, Teo having problems with his wife. This is a rat. This is an informant.

“You know what, on Sunday, I’m going to whip your arse.

“And you know when you get back to Las Vegas, you’re gonna have to look out for Teofimo Lopez, because he’s going to be looking for you too.”

Haney said in response that Kambosos was running scared.

“We can see right through it. Just be you, that’s all you gotta do. Be you, you’re acting,” he said.

Kambosos replied: “I’d rather be an actor than a rat.”

FAKE CHAMPION: AUSSIE KING LANDS EARLY JAB ON RIVAL

- Peter Badel

George Kambosos has questioned Devin Haney’s heart and labelled the American a world-title fraud as the bitter rivals prepare to face off for the first time ahead of Sunday’s unification blockbuster at Marvel Stadium.

After months of trash talk separated by 15,100km and two hemispheres, Kambosos and Haney will finally eyeball each other from close range at a joint press conference on Monday as a prelude to their world-title super fight in Melbourne.

And the cocky Kambosos fired the first salvo of fight week, claiming Haney lacks the ticker the Australian showed in his epic boilover of Teofimo Lopez last November that saw ‘Ferocious’ claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC ‘Franchise’ belts.

Kambosos also lashed Haney’s status as WBC champion, saying ‘The Dream’ never truly won his belt. In October 2019, the WBC crowned Vasiliy Lomachenko their ‘Franchise’ champion, a special designation that meant the Ukrainian was not required to face mandatory challengers.

As a result, Haney was elevated from interim to fully-fledged owner of the traditional WBC title without having to fight for the strap.

While the classy 23-year-old has since had four successful defences and is unbeaten in 27 fights, Kambosos (20-0, 10KO) believes Haney is a world-title impostor.

“Devin Haney never earnt his belt,” Ferocious fired ahead of their Monday face-off.

“In my mind, I am the full undisputed champion already. The broadcaster ESPN even says I’m the undisputed king.

George Kambosos gave his rival both barrels. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“Haney never earnt what I earnt. I won my belts with blood, sweat and tears in the ring. He got given his belt like an award.

“That’s why, when Lomachenko was unavailable, I chose to fight Haney. This is the final nail in the coffin.”

Supporters of Haney believe Kambosos is vulnerable after he was dropped by Lopez in the 10th round. A bloodied Kambosos staggered to his feet and showed incredible courage to dominate Lopez in the championship rounds to conjure a monster upset.

The Sydneysider says those final six minutes against Lopez underscored why The Dream is facing a nightmare ending at Marvel.

“The big issue is Haney’s heart,” Kambosos said.

George Kambosos takes on Haney on Sunday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Ian Currie

“When he got hurt against (Jorge) Linares (in Haney’s unanimous decision win last May) in the 10th round, Haney was holding on for dear life for the last two rounds.

“When I got dropped in round 10, I got up and went to war and won the 11th and 12th rounds.

“That’s the difference between me and him.

“When I land my shots this bloke is going to crumble. I will break him down. I’m not preparing for a quick knockout. If it comes it comes, but I will be in there for 12 rounds and I plan to go all the way and slowly drown him throughout the whole fight.

“Haney has a lot of holes. He is actually a very basic fighter. He works off a good jab but whatever he does, it won’t be enough.

“Let’s see where he goes. He might want to quit. But as Haney will soon find out, there is no quit in me.”