George Kambosos lashes Devin Haney over 2020 ‘white boy’ comments

George Kambosos Jr. has trashed his rival Devin Haney once again after racially charged comments emerged in the lead up to the fight.

George Kambosos Jr. has slammed Devin Haney as “disrespectful to humanity” over a 2020 interview where he said he’d “never lose to a white boy”.

The interview with YouTube channel 78SPORTSTV Haney asked about whether then WBA (Super) and WBO lightweight titleholder — two of the three belts currently held by Kambosos, along with the IBF title — posed a threat to him.

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“I will never lose to a white boy in my life, I don‘t care what nobody got to say,” Haney said.

“Listen, ain‘t no white boy beat me. I don’t care, on any day of the week.

“I fight a white boy like 10 times, I’m gonna beat him 10 times.”

The now 23-year-old apologised in the coming days after the incident, saying: “Over the last couple days I’ve had time to reflect on a lot. I sincerely regret using a term that I have now learned to be derogatory to many of my fans, friends and associates.

“I have learned a valuable lesson and I will continue to show the kind of person that I really am and will continue my quest for greatness inside and outside the ring.”

No love lost here. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But a matter of days from the undisputed lightweight title fight which will unite the WBA, WBO, IBF and the WBC titles for the first time in the four belt era, Kambosos continued his assault on Haney, arguing it “sums up the type of person he is”.

“It’s below the belt,” Kambosos said.

“It’s disrespectful to humanity, to all Australians and to white people around the world.

“One thing about me, I can talk the talk, but I am always respectful of people regardless of race, religion, colour or creed.

“I have some African-American friends and they are among the most beautiful people in the world.

“If he wants to bring race into it, that’s on him and he has to look at himself in the mirror and take responsibility for what he said and live with it.

“If he thinks no white man will beat him, well I am going to punch his head in on Sunday and maybe then he will get an appreciation for my ability.”

It continues a bitter lead up to the fight in which Kambosos labelled Haney “a rat” and “a snitch”, saying he backstabbed Teofimo Lopez.

Kambosos won a split decision in November over the American to become the unified world champion.

Kambosos got a hero’s welcome. Photo by William WEST / AFP

The 28-year-old Australian accused Haney of betraying his countryman, saying the 23-year-old passed on information about Lopez’s personal life in the lead up to the fight.

In a face-off this week on Main Event, the pair clashed over the accusations, as Haney argued Kambosos did similar for Manny Pacquiao by sparring with the Filipino legend before his fight with Jeff Horn.

Speaking again about the messages, Kambosos labelled the messages “a low act”.

“I have proof that he was a snitch. He backstabbed Lopez,” Kambosos said.

“Haney first contacted me about five weeks out from my fight (against Lopez).

“He made the first move, I remember seeing my phone. I got a text and he says ‘it’s Devin Haney, I’ve got some information on Teofimo Lopez that can help you’. I was like, ‘Wow’.

“He was saying stuff like Lopez wasn’t preparing well, that he was smoking at hookah lounges and he was having relationship problems with his wife.

“I couldn’t believe what a low act it was, but that sums up Haney. At the same time, I was about to fight Lopez, so any inside information I could get on my upcoming opponent, of course you are going to take it.”

Get behind him Australia! Photo by William WEST / AFP

The Aussie star was given a hero’s welcome at his final public workout at Federation Square.

Draped in an Australian and a Greek flag, Kambosos said he was “humbled” by the reception and said he was just enjoying the ride.

“No pressure. I’m blessed to be here,” he said.

“Let’s be serious, I was never meant to get here.

“I was a 13-1 underdog in the Lopez fight, I was an underdog in the [Lee] Selby fight, I was an underdog in every fight that I’ve gone into and again I’m the underdog but this top dog will stay at the top after this fight.”