World reacts to classless American opponent after George Kambosos makes history
A dethroned and “delusional” Teofimo Lopez has been booed by his own fans after the crude moment he stole the mic from George Kambosos.
Boxing commentators have scorched classless American fighter Teofimo Lopez after he stole the microphone from Australia’s newest world champion George Kambosos inside the ring.
Kambosos shocked the world in dethroning Lopez to become the lightweight champion of the world in a dramatic fight that had a New York crowd on its feet.
Both fighters were taken to hospital after the fight for precautionary reasons, but Kambosos was at least leaving the building with the WBA super, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine world titles.
The Sydney-based fighter was given no chance by commentators and no respect by his undefeated opponent — but he has silenced all of them in a 115-111, 115-112, 113-114 split decision victory.
It is a win that had commentators on global combat sport streaming broadcaster DAZN declaring it the biggest win in Australian boxing history.
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It is a claim echoed by Kambosos’ corner, who could also be heard screaming “the biggest win in Australian boxing history” as the 28-year-old conducted his post-fight interview inside the ring.
The 20-0 Australian has left the world in awe and full of admiration for the class he showed even before the judges’ scorecards were announced.
It was the exact opposite in the other corner.
Lopez is being criticised around the world for the moment he cut into Kambosos’ interview and declared he deserved to win the fight.
Lopez and the outlying judge appear the only people on the planet who believe his ridiculous claim.
The 24-year-old, who became a superstar of boxing when he dethroned Vasyl Lomachenko last year, was one of the most popular fighters on the planet before Sunday’s bout.
He is leaving the ring as a loser in every sense of the word.
His comments came after Kambosos repeatedly paid respect to his opponent despite the prickly disrespect he had been shown in the build-up to the fight.
Lopez said just days before the fight he was looking to discard Kambosos and move onto “bigger fights” in 2022. He also predicted a first round knockout.
Despite all that, Kambosos went searching for his opponent on the other side of the ring after the fight and embraced him as they shared some brief words.
It was a lovely moment that was overshadowed by Lopez’s shameless interview act just a couple minutes later.
With Kambosos conducting his interview, Lopez walked into the camera shot.
Kambosos stretched out his hand and could be heard saying, “You’re a true champ, forget all the...’ before Lopez cut him off and threw the words in his face.
“He’s a hell of a fighter, but I won tonight, man,” he said.
“Everybody knows that. The referee raised my hand. I won tonight. I don’t care what anybody says, I won tonight.
“I ain’t no sore loser. At the end of the day, I take my wins, I take my losses. I’m a true champion. I came out here. I did what I had to do.”
He said he won the 12-round fight 10-2.
It was such a different interview to the one Kambosos had conducted.
"I won this fight" - Teófimo López 😮#LópezKambososJrpic.twitter.com/OTOfKkVl1N
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 28, 2021
“All respect to him. Madison Square Garden, New York, I love yas all,” Kambosos said.
“All respect to Teofimo. He’s a great kid. The build-up was the build-up. We’re both competitive, we’re both young guys.”
He responded to Lopez’s comments by saying: “You’re delusional. Listen, I got the belts, I won the fight.
“Look at your face. But I gave you the respect. I came here I gave you the respect in the ring and I won the fight. Take it like a champ. Move on. We can do it again in Australia in front of 80,000 people.”
The stats showed just how deluded Lopez is.
Preliminary CompuBox fight stats showed Kambosos landed 155 punches of the 392 he threw. Lopez landed 115 of the 281 punches thrown.
Both fighters scored knockdowns in a fight that had several momentum swings, leaving some commentators to describe it as a “fight of the year” candidate.
It’s why it was a hard fight for the judges to score.
#LopezKambosos official scorecard. #boxingpic.twitter.com/cEd8qAQrkI
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 28, 2021
The fight world was not impressed with Lopez’s behaviour after the fight.
“When Teofimo looks in the mirror and watches this fight, he is going to know he was a beaten man in a fantastic fight,” former American professional boxer Sergio Mora said on DAZN.
Two-weight world champion boxer Jessica McCaskill said after the fight the New York crowd turned on Lopez.
“Ninety per cent were cheering for him, they all booed him after he said that.” she said.
Fight commentator Teddy Atlas posted on Twitter: “Lopez has lot to learn, and his father also, starting with u need to do more than curse in corner.
“Congratulations to the fans also for being real and honest reacting to what Lopez just said.”
Big-time boos for Teofimo Lopez, who claims he was robbed and won 10 of the 12 rounds. Said he can’t make 135 any longer and “they’ve been draining him.†#LopezKambososJr
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) November 28, 2021
Lopez crashes Kambosos interview and says he won the fight. Not a good look. #boxing#LopezKambosos
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) November 28, 2021
Teo, you my guy, but let my man have his moment. Bounce back, and come back stronger ðŸ™ðŸ¾@DAZNBoxing#LopezKambososJr
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) November 28, 2021
Champions take losses really hard…. But umm this ain’t it.
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) November 28, 2021
Some sections of the 5000 fans in attendance at the Hulu Theatre in Madison Square Garden also booed Kambosos as he stood on the ropes and pumped his fists immediately after the 12th round.
He has all their respect right now.
He had to come back from the brink when he was knocked down in a dominant 10th round for his opponent. With the fight on a knife’s edge heading into the 11th round with the momentum all with Lopez, it was Kambosos who showed incredible heart to come back and win the final two rounds of the fight.
He showed all the characteristics that the true champions do.
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