‘Shock the world’: George Kambosos is exactly where he wants to be

Boxing champion George Kambosos Jr. has never had it the easy way in his career but then again it is exactly how the Aussie likes it.

Despite the hardware, Kambosos is the underdog. Photo by William WEST / AFP

George Kambosos Jr. has built a career on defying expectations and he will have to do it once again as he goes head to head with WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney.

Despite having shocked the world when he defeated Teofimo Lopez last November to claim the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO titles, Kambosos will have to defy the odds to become the first man in the four-belt era to hold all the belts at lightweight.

Watch one of the biggest boxing fights ever in Australia: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney, Sun 5 June with Main Event on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed to order. ORDER NOW >

His win over Lopez may have made Kambosos the division’s top dog but it hasn’t helped him get ahead with the bookmakers.

Kambosos is a $2.35 outsider to Haney’s $1.64, while a draw is big money at $17.

It’s right where Kambosos wants to be and where he’s spent his entire career.

He’s fought and defeated world champions in his last three fights in former featherweight champ Lee Selby, ex-IBF lightweight king Mickey Bey and Lopez.

George Kambosos has to confound expectations again. Photo by William WEST / AFP

“It has been a long hard journey, everyone knows that,” Kambosos said at a press conference on Friday. “But I’m ready for Sunday. All them moments have got me ready for Sunday again and I will shock the world again. Underdog, beautiful — we are ready.

“I’ve been through it all so whatever comes to the table on Sunday, we are ready. We are fully prepared and we are warriors. Whatever way we have to go, we are prepared.

“I love the underdog status, they’ve been against me my whole career. They’ve been saying that the whole career. But I’m the top dog and after Sunday I’ll remain the top dog.”

Kambosos has delivered some brutal shots in the lead up to Sunday’s blockbuster as he waged a mental battle against Haney.

How that will affect Haney come game time remains to be seen but the American is confident he has brushed the verbal barbs aside.

Asked if he should be the favourite, Haney said he’d let his gloves do the talking.

“I feel like I’m the far better fighter, I have far more skills than him and I’ll show it on Sunday,” Haney said. “It’s for me to show in the ring. The betting odds really don’t matter because I will show you. No matter what the people say, anyone can say anything but I’m levels above him.”

We’ll see on Sunday.

Favourite or not, Kambosos is the champ. Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images

How to watch Kambosos vs. Haney?

Kambosos vs. Haney will be shown live and exclusive on Main Event pay per view. This includes via Foxtel and Kayo.

Watch one of the biggest boxing fights ever in Australia: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney, Sun 5 June with Main Event on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed to order. ORDER NOW >

When is Kambosos vs. Haney?

Kambosos fights Haney on Sunday, May 5 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne with the card starting at 9am, while the main event will be decided around 2pm.

It coincides with prime time on the US west coast.

Kambosos vs. Haney undercard

Post-main event bouts

Andrew Moloney vs. Alexander Espinoza – eight rounds at super-flyweight

Amari Jones vs. Ankush Hooda – six rounds at super-welterweight

Main Card (From 11am AEST)

George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney – 12 rounds for WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring lightweight world titles

Jason Moloney vs. Aston Palicte – 10 rounds at bantamweight

Junior Fa vs. Lucas Browne – 10 rounds at heavyweight

Hemi Ahio vs. Christian Tsoye – eight rounds at heavyweight

David Nyika vs. Karim Maatalla – four or six rounds at cruiserweight

Undercard (From 9.30am AEST)

Terry Nickolas vs. Lachlan Higgins – six rounds at super-welterweight

Isaias Sette vs. Luke Gersbeck – four rounds at super-welterweight

Hussein Fayad vs. Pom Thanawut Phetkum – four rounds at super-featherweight

Taylah Robertson vs. Sarah Higginson – five rounds at super-flyweight

Yoel Angeloni vs. Ken Aitken – four rounds at welterweight

George Kambosos Jr and Devin Haney actually shared a laugh. Picture: David Caird

Tale of the tape

GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR.

Nationality: Australia

Date of Birth: November 2, 1994

Height: 176cm

Reach: 173cm

Record: 20-0 (10 KOs)

Last three fights:

Dec 14, 2019 — Win (Split decision) Vs Mickey Bey

Oct 31, 2020 — Win (Split decision) Vs Lee Selby

Nov 27, 2021 — Win (Split decision) Vs Teofimo Lopez

DEVIN HANEY

Nationality: America

Age: 23

Height: 173cm

Reach: 180cm

Record: 27-0 (15 KOs)

Last three fights:

Nov 7, 2020 — Win (Unanimous decision) Vs Yuriorkis Gamboa

May 29, 2021 — Win (Unanimous decision) Vs Jorge Linares

Dec 4, 2021 — Win (Unanimous decision) Vs Joseph Diaz