In what is being billed as one of the biggest fights in Australian boxing history, “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr will try to take the WBC Lightweight World Championship from Devin Haney, becoming the Unified Lightweight World Champion in the process.
Best Bet
Value Bet
Kambosos stamped himself as one of the best 135lb boxers in the world in November of 2021, causing a massive boilover as a $7.00 underdog by beating Teofimo Lopez by split decision, winning the WBA, IBF and WBO Lightweight titles along the way. He will have a distinct home ground advantage, with the fight taking place at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne but he certainly has his work cut out for him against a very formidable opponent.
Devin Haney has held the WBC Lightweight title for three years, beating Zaur Adbullaev for the interim strap in September 2019 and then becoming the undisputed champion only a few months later, beating Alfredo Santiago by Unanimous Decision. He has defended the title three times since then, with all three fights going to the score cards.
From a style perspective, Haney is the cleaner and more pure boxer. He has great footwork and he works behind a very solid jab. That being said, he has shown in the past to have some issues with his durability.
Kambosos produces a very fan-friendly (and arguably judge-friendly) style of boxing. Whilst not as technical as Haney, he’s an extremely aggressive boxer who will apply the pressure to Haney from the opening bell.
Haney goes into this fight as the betting favourite but there is something to be said about the quality of opposition he has faced. He’s never fought the likes of ex-champion Vasyl Lomachenko, Gervonta Davis or Teofimo Lopez.
The American will look to work from the outside, pumping his jab and picking Kambosos apart with shots at his own pace.
If Kambosos can close the distance and turn this into a brawl (much like he did against Lopez) we will have a fight on our hands. With the support of the Melbourne crowd behind him, Kambosos’ volume heavy style might just be enough to tip the judges scorecards in his favour.
