George Kambosos v Devin Haney: Aussie world champion makes weight at second attempt
George Kambosos appeared in the buff after failing to make weight, putting his blockbuster against Devin Haney in doubt. See how the day of weigh-in chaos unfolded.
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It was the 165 grams that saved Australian boxing’s $15 million super fight.
George Kambosos’ weigh-in crisis has been resolved with the Australian finally making weight to ensure his world-champion status remains intact for Sunday’s unification blockbuster against Devin Haney in Melbourne.
Kambosos stepped onto the scales on Saturday and stunned the crowd at Margaret Court Arena when he weighed in at 135.36 pounds, exceeding the 135lb limit for the lightweight world-title bout at Marvel Stadium.
In a desperate attempt to make weight, Kambosos went Full Frontal.
With two guards holding towels, he came back to the scales stark naked, but he was still over the limit, leaving him two hours to shed 165 grams to avoid his WBA, WBO and IBF titles being stripped.
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.@GeorgeKambosos comes in at 135.36 👀
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 4, 2022
He will have two hours to make weight âš–ï¸ #KambososHaneypic.twitter.com/zWI2XNyz5Y
But, after a hot shower and a quick “piss”, Kambosos returned 90 minutes later and weighed in at 134.49 pounds, giving him the green light to face WBC champion Haney, who had no trouble at a lean-and-mean 134.92 pounds.
Kambosos later dismissed concerns about his weigh-in drama, suggesting it was a deliberate tactic in a bid to play mind games with Haney. One of Kambosos’ favourite books is the Art of War.
“Hey, the Art of War baby, deception,” Kambosos said as a crowd of 500 at Margaret Court Arena, many draped in Greek flags, cheered and chanted his name.
“Let them (Haney camp) believe that this was (a mistake).
“Everything is for a cause, everything is for a process.
“Trust me, tomorrow, just be here.”
Kambosos is renowned for his ruthless professionalism. In his 20 professional career fights, he has never had an issue making weight.
Perhaps it is clever deception. Perhaps it reeks of ill-discipline.
Whatever the case, four shimmering world-title straps are alive.
Asked if he was shocked not to make weight at the first attempt, ‘Ferocious’ said with a wry grin: “Art of War. Deception. Maybe I did it on purpose.
“I took a piss, simple as that. I chilled out. I was about to have a Greek coffee, but now that I have made weight, I will have a Greek coffee.”
Kambosos scoffed at suggestions the eleventh-hour battle to make weight suggested he had not prepared with the same precision as he did when he shocked the world by upsetting Teofimo Lopez last November.
“It changes nothing, it only changes his mindset,” he said.
“I am more than ready, let’s go.”
After the first weigh-in, Kambosos and Haney came together for a face-off which turned fiery as the pair traded verbal barbs.
At one point, it looked as though Kambosos was about to lunge for Haney, prompting the American’s entourage to usher their fighter off the stage.
Haney (27-0, 15KO), who looked in sensational shape, later slammed Kambosos (20-0, 10KO), questioning the Sydney slugger’s professionalism.
“A true champion makes weight and I made weight,” Haney said.
Haney’s promoter Bob Arum said Kambosos would have been stripped of his belts had he failed to make weight. In that scenario, the fight would have proceeded, but only Haney would have been eligible to win the four belts on the line.
“He had time to make weight but this is a serious thing,” the 90-year-old Arum said.
“Nothing surprises me in boxing.
“I have been in this game nearly 60 years, I’ve seen weigh-in issues many times.”
In another shock, the Australian government has granted Haney’s father and trainer Bill a visa in a stunning development on the eve of the fight.
Haney Snr has succeeded in his desperate battle to arrive Down Under after originally being rejected by the Australian government due to a 30-year-old drug conviction.
The Haney camp urgently booked a flight for ‘The Dream’s’ most trusted voice to be in his son’s corner in time for the biggest fight in Australian boxing history.
The development has huge ramifications for Haney, the reigning WBC champion who was preparing to face Kambosos without the help of his father, instead relying on his replacement Yoel Judah.
But Haney will now be reunited with his most important voice when he enters the ring against Kambosos before 50,000 screaming fans at Marvel.
Arum said the presence of Haney Snr was a huge boost as The Dream attempts to become the first undisputed lightweight champion of the four-belt era.
“Bill is a huge influence on Devin. He has been the chief trainer throughout his kid’s career,” Arum said.
Haney said he was prepared to steal Kambosos’ belts with or without his father.
“If I felt like it (not having his father in his corner) was a factor, then I wouldn’t be here,” Haney said.
“I came here with my mindset on not leaving without the belts and I’m not doing anything different.
Originally published as George Kambosos v Devin Haney: Aussie world champion makes weight at second attempt
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