Devin Haney has fired an early jab at George Kambosos jnr ahead of their undisputed world title rematch in Melbourne, saying “the belts got to his head” during a sharp rise and fall as king of the lightweight division.
Which is why Kambosos arrives at fight week commitments without the gold rings, the fancy sunglasses and the tailored suits – and in the biggest upheaval, with a new trainer.
George Kambosos jnr has vowed to win back his world titles.Credit:Getty Images
Kambosos (20-1) has turned back the clock in a bid to reclaim his titles in a showdown with WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA Super champion Haney (28-0) at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
The Sydneysider has reunited with former trainer Chris Bakis, who guided Kambosos through the first 14 bouts of his career, having parted ways with American mastermind Javiel Centeno.
“I don’t need no suits, I don’t need no fancy stuff,” Kambosos said. “Everyone knows ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos, I’m a fighter, that’s all that matters to me now.
“I’ve got a smaller team. I don’t have too much of an entourage, but I’ve got a team I am very blessed to have, I feel very comfortable with. I’ve taken it old school, I’ve gone back to my roots, I’ve gone back to what got me there and that’s what matters.”
Kambosos had to make a change, and Haney says he knows why.
“He definitely should have been humble and been a gracious champion, but at the end of the day, his head got big. The belts got to his head,” Haney said.
At just 23, Haney is one of eight men to have become an undisputed champion since boxing’s four-belt era began in 2004. But one of the sport’s brightest stars says there is no chance he suffers the same fate as Kambosos looks to join that elite group of undisputed titleholders.
“Of course not. This wasn’t a fluke, this wasn’t an upset, this wasn’t something the world didn’t see coming,” Haney said.
“This is something I’ve always dreamed of, I always knew I would be here one day. It happened. There’s no way I can get big-headed when I knew it was going to happen eventually.
“He’s making up every excuse in the book. He said he wasn’t going to, but now he is saying I was holding, it was this, it was that. Whatever you want to say, he keeps saying it. The talk doesn’t matter, I’m going to go in there and do what I’m going to do regardless. No matter what referee is in there, no matter where the fight is at.”
The names of Kambosos and Haney are the ones on the posters and in the headlines, but there is another world title on the line at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
Melbourne’s Cherneka Johnson (14-1) will defend her IBF super bantamweight championship against fellow Australian and former world champion Susie Ramadan (29-3) during Sunday’s event, which is expected to attract almost 20,000 fans.
The Moloney twins – who boast identical 24-2 records – will both feature on the card. Andrew Moloney faces Norbelto Jimenez (31-9-6) for the WBO international super flyweight crown as he marches towards another world title, while Jason Moloney will take on Nawaphon Kaikanha (56-1-1) in his chase for a second shot at the bantamweight crown.
Watch the Sonny Bill Williams v Mark Hunt fight live & exclusive on Stan Event event on Saturday 5 November. New customers can sign up to a Stan free trial and can purchase SBW v Hunt on Stan Event for $50 at stan.com.au/event.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
