George Kambosos to fight Brit Maxi Hughes for IBO lightweight title

Former world champion George Kambosos says he will hit British rival Maxi Hughes for six as the two agreed to square off for the IBO lightweight world title in boxing’s version of the Ashes.

George Kambosos went down recently to Devin Haney at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

George Kambosos has secured a world-title bout in Australia as ‘Ferocious’ fights to revive his career in the wake of back-to-back losses to American sensation Devin Haney.

News Corp can reveal Kambosos and British rival Maxi Hughes have formally agreed terms on a bout for the IBO lightweight world title in a clash that could send the Australian surging back up the world rankings.

“This is boxing’s version of the Ashes … and I’m going to hit Maxi Hughes for six,” Kambosos told News Corp.

While the IBO is not considered one of the Big Four organisations, victory over Hughes (26-5-2, 5KO) would give Kambosos (20-2, 10KO) another world title and kickstart his career after his twin defeats to Haney last year.

A third consecutive defeat to Hughes, who has won seven consecutive fights, would leave Kambosos’ career in tatters.

But the 29-year-old Sydneysider is confident of hammering Hughes in a fight that could see Kambosos claim the vacant No. 2 ranking in the IBF, putting him in contention for another world-title blockbuster bout.

Promoters are exploring a number of venues but it is understood Sydney is favoured to host the IBO world-title fight ahead of Melbourne, the scene of Kambosos’ successive showdowns with Haney.

A date has yet to be locked in but Kambosos expects to fight Hughes in June.

George Kambosos Jr. (R) has landed a new world title fight this year. Picture: Getty

Kambosos, who famously beat Teofimo Lopez in November 2021 to become a multi-belt world champion, is adamant he can rise again.

“This is not the end for Ferocious,” he said.

“I’m still a big name in the world of boxing

“When I win this fight, I’m back in line for the IBF world title.

“This also doubles as an eliminator fight for the IBF, so I’m killing two birds with one stone by beating Maxi Hughes.”

Another world-title blockbuster may not be far away from Kambosos.

Lightweight king Haney is scheduled to fight Vasyl Lomachenko and the American is tipped to move up a division after that bout, which would leave the IBF crown vacant.

Should Kambosos beat Hughes, his next fight could be with IBF No. 1-ranked Gustavo Lemos for the IBF world title – or, potentially, a blockbuster with Lomachenko if the Ukrainian superstar upsets Haney.

“Everyone thinks Haney will beat Lomachenko, but if ‘Loma’ pulls off an upset and wins, he will look to me because I was the guy prepared to give him a shot for the belts before I fought Haney,” Kambosos said.

George Kambosos went down recently to Devin Haney at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

“If Haney wins and vacates, then I could fight Lemos for the world title.

“Either way, I feel really refreshed.

“I’m a big-name fighter and this is a great comeback fight.

“I will do the business and take on the big names again.

“I’ve got a point to prove, I’m training well and I’m determined to get back to the top again.”

Australian middleweight star Michael Zerafa, who has his own world-title fight coming up this year, is adamant Kambosos is not a spent force.

“I’m a huge fan of George Kambosos,” he said.

“We talk now and then on social media.

“Kambosos is the real face of Australian boxing – not Tim Tszyu. Kambosos won all four belts against Lopez, no other Aussie has done that. We might pick up one or two, but to do what he did was one in a million.

“He doesn’t have the belts now but I believe he’s not finished. He has time on his side to bounce back.”

OPETAIA’S LEGAL DRAMA RISKS WORLD TITLE

Australian boxing sensation Jai Opetaia is in danger of having his world title stripped after being rocked by legal action.

News Corp can reveal leading fight promoter Dean Lonergan – the man who helped Jeff Horn to a world title – commenced legal proceedings in Brisbane’s Supreme Court on Wednesday against Opetaia, Australia’s only current male world champion.

Just eight months ago, Lonergan helped Opetaia conquer the world when he famously beat Mairis Briedis on the Gold Coast, overcoming a broken jaw in two places to clinch the IBF cruiserweight belt.

But when Lonergan lost his Fox TV rights deal in January, Opetaia, via his manager, advised the promoter he wanted out to explore new commercial opportunities.

The International Boxing Federation recently ordered Opetaia to begin negotiations on his maiden defence in early April, but unless the legal spat is resolved in the coming weeks, he risks having to surrender his hard-fought world title.

Jai Opetaia celebrates during the IBF cruiserweight title fight on the Gold Coast in 2022. Picture: Getty Images

An IBF spokesman confirmed the legal action and said Gold Coast-based Opetaia risked the devastating prospect of losing his IBF world title if he couldn’t smoke the peace pipe with Lonergan.

“There is some sort of dispute and potentially it could cause him to be stripped of his belt,” said an IBF official.

“I hope Jai isn’t stripped because he had a brilliant victory and I’d hate to see him lose his belt.

“It’s not a good situation.

“Jai battled hard to get that world title, it was a great fight.

“If it’s not sorted by April, there’s a possibility Jai could be stripped, but I don’t know all the details at this stage.”

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Lonergan, who bankrolled the $16 million boxing spectacular that saw Horn defeat Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017, insists Opetaia is contracted for another 12 months.

Lonergan recently lost Opetaia’s stablemate, Australian heavyweight golden boy Justis Huni, but is adamant his contractual agreement with Opetaia is watertight.

“A contract is a contract and we will uphold any contract we have,” Lonergan said.

“In my opinion, if this dispute isn’t resolved, Jai, according to the rules of the IBF, could very much lose his belt.

“Jai is a great champion and I would hate to see him stripped of the belt because we worked so hard to get him there.

“It’s in everybody’s interests to get this resolved.”

Promoter Dean Lonergan

The 27-year-old became an Australian sporting hero last year when he produced a stunning boilover of IBF king Briedis, fighting through the pain of a broken jaw to win a 10-round bloodbath on the Gold Coast.

Originally published as George Kambosos to fight Brit Maxi Hughes for IBO lightweight title