Boxing world reacts to George Kambosos Jr.’s upset win over Teofimo Lopez

George Kambosos Jr. has made Australian boxing history in one of the great victories — but he didn’t have it his own way.

Victory is sweet. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

The tributes have flowed in for Aussie boxing world champion George Kambosos Jr. after he stunned the world to snatch the WBA super, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles from the clutches of American Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden.

Going into the belly of the beast in Lopez’ native New York, the Aussie came out victorious in one of the fights of the year, winning a 115-111, 115-112 and 113-114 split decision in one of the greatest victories by an Aussie boxer in history.

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While Kambosos wasn’t a big name in Australia before the fight as he hasn’t fought at home since 2017, he has amassed a 20-0 record and is now the unified champion of the world.

It came as a shock to many as he went in a rank underdog for the fight, rated a 13-1 chance to knock off Teofimo Lopez, who was heralded as the fifth best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

The 28-year-old Aussie stunned him from the outset, earning a knockdown in the opening round and holding the highly-touted American at bay through 12 brutal rounds of boxing.

However, two of the three judges didn’t see it that way, awarding it 10-9 to Kambosos, instead of 10-8.

#LopezKambosos official scorecard. #boxingpic.twitter.com/cEd8qAQrkI

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 28, 2021

Boxing journalist Dan Rafael explained: “Lopez had dominated round 1 other than the knockdown. They elected to score 10-9 because of that. I thought about it but made it 10-8. But it is a reasonable score for that round given how one-sided it was other than the knockdown.”

However, not everyone was as quick to forgive the two judges for not marking it a knockdown.

Ring Magazine reporter Ryan Songalia questioned the call, writing: “Two of the judges scored the first round 10-9 for Kambosos, despite him scoring a knockdown”.

Kambosos is the champ. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

BlackSportsOnline CEO Robert Littal also swiped the judges.

“You know Kambosos was fighting an uphill battle when he scored a CLEAN knockdown in 1st rd and two of the judges refused to give him a 10-8 round. Teo needed a KO in 12th to win,” he tweeted.

Someone also asked Littal how the judges justified the decision, and he replied: “You can’t. There is no justification for that being a 10-9 round. It was a clean clear knockdown. Kambosos was never hurt in 1st round and landed some nice punches. They didn’t do the same when Lopez knocked Kambosos down and Kambosos came back in the round”.

Only one judge scored round one 10-8 for Kambosos.

Can you imagine if.... #LopezKambososJrpic.twitter.com/40JKzSKDsb

— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) November 28, 2021

I see at least two judges in New York wore blindfolds for the first round. Regardless of how the rest of the scoring went, they should be run out of town for that round alone. How you gonna say Kambosos didn’t knock him down with a straight face? pic.twitter.com/wNlHT4LZRd

— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) November 28, 2021

But despite the criticism, much of the world was happy with the judging, believing Kambosos Jr. deserved the victory.

‘Proud’ Pacquiao leads world reaction

But as the scores were read out and Kambosos was awarded the belts, the world was quick to show their respect for the Aussie.

One of the first was eight division world champion and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao and Kambosos have a tight friendship as the Aussie had been the Filipino presidential candidate’s chief sparring partner and helped prepare him for his biggest fights.

Pacquiao was quick to message his congratulations after the fight.

“Congratulations to my friend, @georgekambosos, on an epic win! You helped me in so many of my past fights, I hope our hundreds of rounds of sparring helped you in some way tonight. I’m proud of you. #LopezKambosos,” he tweeted.

But he was far from the only one as the boxing world heaped praise on Kambosos.

Former assistant to Johnny Lewis for all of Jeff Fenech world title wins and the man who literally wrote the book on the Aussie legend and journalist Grantlee Kieza tweeted: “And the new!!! @georgekambosos beats Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden for the world lightweight title in one of the greatest performances ever by an Aussie boxer”.

Boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas paid Kambosos a huge compliment that Kambosos “reminds u of Arturo Gatti the way he gets hurt and comes back. Incredible fight.”

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who promoted the fight said: “WOW!!! What a f***ing hero. The King of Australia take a f*cking bow @georgekambosos”.

What a win. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Even YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul had his say.

“DON'T F*** WITH AUSTRALIA. CONGRATS @georgekambosos,” he wrote.

26-0 lightweight star Devin Haney who is fighting next week tweeted: “Congrats @georgekambosos well deserved victory you worked hard for it! Let’s make it happen for all the belts!”

Kambosos has already called out Haney for a future fight once Haney is done with his December 4 fight with Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz for the WBC world title.

Two-weight champion Shakur Stevenson also wants a shot at the belts, writing: “Yo

@georgekambosos Beautiful work champ u looked great. I would love a shot at them belts if you’re down”.

AND NEW!! No one believed in this Greek kid from Australia. @DiBellaEnt and Peter Kahn did. Congratulations to the new Undisputed Lightweight World Champion @GeorgeKambosos! #boxing#LopezKambosos@HuluTheaterMSG

— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) November 28, 2021

Hell of a fight! Congratulations @georgekambosos

— The Professor (@JoshuaFranco_) November 28, 2021

Damn. @georgekambosos did NOT come to play. HE came to take over. If that wasn't a Fight of the Year contender, I don't know what is. @DAZNBoxing#ANDTHENEW#LopezKambosospic.twitter.com/O1TNBnyuH3

— Shawn Patterson (@shawnmpatterson) November 28, 2021

George Kambosos took the long road to get there, and he never stopped believing that he would. One of the greatest performances by any Australian boxer. Undisputed and absolutely deserving of it. Should have been unanimous, but hey, it’s the US. #LopezKambososJr

— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) November 28, 2021

And now that the world now wants a piece of the Aussie champion, Kambosos was revelling in his status after one of the biggest wins by an Aussie boxer in history.

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

“Look at me, I’m the greatest Australian fighter in history, no disrespect. I’ve got all the belts.”