George Kambosos Jr Explained

Nickname:
  • Ferocious
  • The Emperor
Weight:Lightweight
Height:174cm (69inches)[1]
Reach:173 cm
Birth Date:14 June 1993
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Total:24
Wins:21
Ko:10
Losses:3
Show-Medals:yes

George Kambosos Jr (born 14 June 1993) is an Australian professional boxer who held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles from 2021 to 2022, the IBO lightweight title from 2023 to May 2024.

Early life

Kambosos was born in Sydney to parents of Greek descent.[2] His paternal grandparents moved from Sparta, Laconia, to Australia and Kambosos has the famous Spartan war cry "Never retreat, never surrender" tattooed on his body in homage to his heritage.[3] He began playing junior rugby league for the Gymea Gorillas at a young age,[4] and was often bullied as a child for being overweight, so his father enrolled him in boxing classes at 11 years of age to improve his fitness.[5] Kambosos quickly dropped the excess weight and was placed in the Cronulla Sharks development squad where he was coached by Ricky Stuart but found himself at a crossroad as a teenager when he was forced to choose between boxing and rugby league.[4] He elected to pursue the boxing pathway and began his fighting career by amassing 85 wins in 100 amateur fights before turning professional.[6] Kambosos attended Bexley Public School in the southern suburbs of Sydney throughout his upbringing.[7]

Professional career

Early career

Kambosos made his professional boxing debut in May 2013, aged 19, when he faced Filipino fighter Jayson Mac Gura and was victorious via a second-round technical knockout. In December 2016, he captured the WBA Oceania title by beating world number nine Brandon Ogilvie.[8] [9] He then went on to face Qamil Balla in May 2017,[10] whom he defeated by unanimous decision in a ten-round fight.[11] Five months later, he knocked out Krai Setthaphon in the ninth round and won the WBA Oceania and IBF Pan Pacific titles in the lightweight division.[12]

Pacquiao's sparring partner

In June 2017, Kambosos was tabbed by Manny Pacquiao as his main sparring partner in preparation for the fight with Jeff Horn[13] and has remained Pacquiao's main sparring partner for his fights after Horn as well.[14] In April 2018, Kambosos signed a promotional contract with DiBella Entertainment.[15]

In May 2018, he made his debut in the US[16] and knocked out Jose Forero in just 1 minute and 48 seconds.[17] On 19 January 2019, Kambosos defeated Rey Perez at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Adrien Broner via unanimous decision in his second fight on US soil.[18] On 7 June in Athens, Kambosos returned to his native land of Greece and knocked out Venezuelan 11–2 (9 KOs) Richard Pena in round six in front of the packed out Galatsi Olympic Hall. He called out former two division world champion José Pedraza after his victory.

Rise up the ranks

Kambosos vs Bey

On 14 December 2019, Kambosos faced his toughest opponent yet, former IBF lightweight champion Mickey Bey. He won the bout by split decision on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Scorecards read 97–92, 96–93 and 94–95 in favour of Kambosos.[19] [20]

Kambosos vs Selby

On 31 October 2020, Kambosos defeated former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby by split decision at The SSE Arena in London.[21] Selby was ranked #1 by the WBO, #4 by the IBF and #12 by the WBC at the time.[22] The win over Selby made Kambosos the mandatory challenger for the IBF lightweight title.[23]

Unified lightweight champion

Kambosos vs López

See main article: Teófimo López vs. George Kambosos Jr.. On 9 January 2021, the IBF ordered undefeated unified lightweight champion Teófimo López to defend his titles against Kambosos, their number one contender and mandatory challenger.[24] The fight was initially set for 5 June 2021 at the LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, before being postponed multiple times, due to complications involving López contracting COVID-19,[25] and disputes over the venue of the fight.[26] [27] The fight had gone to purse bids which was won by Triller with a winning bid of over US$6 million. However, on 6 October, it transpired that the IBF had found Triller in default of its contract obligation to stage the fight, and that its rights would be awarded to the second highest bidder, Eddie Hearn's Matchroom, and the fight was shown live exclusively on the streaming service DAZN.[28] [29] Kambosos won the bout via split decision to become the new unified lightweight world champion. One judge had it 114–113 for López, while the other two judges scored the bout 115–112 and 115–111 in favour of Kambosos.[30]

Kambosos vs Haney

See main article: George Kambosos Jr vs Devin Haney. On 5 June 2022, Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney clashed at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia to determine the 1st undisputed lightweight champion of the four-belt era.[31] The fight did not proceed without controversy, as Kambosos was unable to make weight on his first attempt. He initially weighed in at 135.36 lbs, 0.36 lbs over the 135 lb limit for the lightweight division. On his second attempt an hour later, within the two-hour limit, Kambosos weighed in at 134.49 lbs.[32] [33] The fight then proceeded as planned and Kambosos was defeated by Haney after a unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 116–112 and one judge scoring it 118–110, all in favor of Haney. The deal for the fight included an automatic rematch clause which Kambosos exercised. The rematch occurred on October 16, 2022, in Australia.[34]

Kambosos vs Haney II

See main article: Devin Haney vs George Kambosos Jr II. George Kambosos and Devin Haney met in their rematch at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on October 16, 2022.[35] Kambosos lost the fight via unanimous decision with the scores of 118–110 (twice) and 119–109, in favor of Haney.[36]

Lomachenko vs. Kambosos

On May 12, 2024, in Perth, Western Australia, Kambosos fought Vasiliy Lomachenko for the vacant IBF lightweight title. Lomachenko defeated Kambosos by TKO in the 11th round by bodyshot. This was after Kambosos went down to a bodyshot earlier in the round and took a standing eight count. Kambosos' corner threw in the towel after a second knockdown before the referee waved off the fight.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
24Loss21–3Vasiliy LomachenkoTKO11 (12), 12 May 2024
23Win21–2Maxi HughesMD1222 Jul 2023
22Loss20–2Devin HaneyUD1216 Oct 2022
21Loss20–1Devin HaneyUD125 Jun 2022
20Win20–0Teófimo LópezSD1227 Nov 2021
19Win19–0Lee SelbySD1231 Oct 2020
18Win18–0Mickey Bey1014 Dec 2019
17Win17–0Richard PenaTKO6 (10), 7 Jun 2019
16Win16–0Rey PerezUD819 Jan 2019
15Win15–0JR MagbooTKO2 (8), 15 Jul 2018
14Win14–0Jose ForeroKO1 (10), 5 May 2018
13Win13–0Kaewfah Tor BuamasTKO9 (10), 13 Oct 2017
12Win12–0Qamil BallaUD106 May 2017
11Win11–0Brandon Ogilvie UD122 Dec 2016
10Win10–0Issa Nampepeche 4 (12), 8 Jun 2016
9Win9–0Joebert Delos Reyes 4 (12), 12 Dec 2015
8Win8–0Leonardo Esteban GonzalezTKO3 (12), 4 Jul 2015
7Win7–0Rodynie RafolUD631 Jan 2015
6Win6–0Robert Toomey UD1029 Aug 2014
5Win5–0Akrapong NakthaemTKO1 (6), 9 Apr 2014
4Win4–0Paitoon JaikomUD629 Jan 2014
3Win3–0Michael CorreaTKO6 (8), 22 Nov 2013
2Win2–0Roberto Oyan617 Aug 2013
1Win1–0Jayson Mac Gura2 (6), 18 May 2013

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Top Rank tale of the tape prior to the Devin Haney fight.
  2. Web site: Dalatariof . Panagiotis . George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr – The unbeaten Greek Australian fighter who dreams of being world champion! . greekherald.com.au . en . 2 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Kambosos Jr . George . I'm Australia's best athlete – George Kambosos Jr . greekherald.com.au . en . 12 September 2018.
  4. Web site: Dalatariof . Panagiotis . George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr – The unbeaten Greek Australian fighter who dreams of being world champion! . theaustralian.com.au . en . 5 June 2020.
  5. Web site: Santoliquito . Joseph . George Kambosos Jr. overcame bullying and scorn to reach prime time against Lee Selby . ringtv.com . en . 27 October 2020.
  6. Web site: 2021-01-12 . Kambosos Jr. targets world top five - Boxing Monthly . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210112032127/http://www.boxingmonthly.com/stories/kambosos-jr-targets-world-top-five/ . 2021-01-12 . 2022-09-29 .
  7. Web site: Webster . Andrew . 'Ferocious' Kambosos: the Australian sporting hero you've never heard of . smh.com.au . en . 28 May 2022.
  8. Web site: Parkinson . Andrew . George Kambosos Jnr ready for Luna Park rumble . theleader.com.au . en . 29 November 2016.
  9. Web site: Hamilton-Irvine . Gary . Boxing: Kambosos Jnr beats Ogilvie, remains undefeated . theleader.com.au . en . 5 December 2016.
  10. News: Schelle . Caroline . Qamil Balla targets lightweight champ George Kambosos Jr . Herald Sun . en . 1 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Parkinson . Andrew . George 12-0 after big victory . theleader.com.au . en . 8 May 2017.
  12. Web site: 2022-03-31 . George "Ferocious" Kambosos 9th round TKO of Krai Setthaphon in Melbourne Highlights SuperNewsWorld.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331023547/https://www.supernewsworld.com/George-Ferocious-Kambosos-9th-Round-TKO-Of-Krai-Setthaphon-In-Melbourne-Highlights-3182538.html . 2022-03-31 . 2022-09-29 .
  13. Web site: Pacquiao spars with Aussie who fights like Horn . news.abs-cbn.com. 4 June 2017 .
  14. Web site: LOOK: Pacquiao begins hard sparring for Adrien Broner fight . news.abs-cbn.com. 4 December 2018 .
  15. Web site: 2022-05-12 . George Kambosos Jr. signs with Dibella . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512002042/https://www.boxingnews24.com/2018/04/dibella-entertainment-signs-undefeated-australian-prospect-george-kambosos-jr/ . 2022-05-12 . 2022-09-29 .
  16. Web site: George Kambosos Ready To Make a Big Splash in United States . BoxingScene.com . 5 May 2018 . en-us.
  17. Web site: George Kambosos Jr Picks Up Win by KO over Jose Forero – BoxingSocialist . boxingsocialist.com . 7 May 2018 . en.
  18. Web site: Kambosos, Pacquiao Sparring Partner, Easily Out-Boxes Perez . BoxingScene.com . 19 January 2019 . 20 January 2019 . en-us.
  19. Web site: Kambosos Jnr vs Bey - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets . 2022-09-29 . Box.Live . en-US.
  20. Web site: George Kambosos Jr. Defeats Mickey Bey in biggest test of his career. 15 December 2019.
  21. Web site: Kambosos' big win snares world title shot. 31 October 2020 .
  22. Web site: Selby vs Kambosos Jnr - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets . 2022-09-29 . Box.Live . en-US.
  23. Web site: George Kambosos Gets Split Nod over Lee Selby in IBF Eliminator. 31 October 2020 .
  24. Web site: IBF orders lightweight world title fight between Aussie George Kambosos Jnr and Teofimo Lopez Jnr . Fox Sports Australia . 9 January 2021 . 10 January 2021 . en-us.
  25. News: Lopez tests positive for Covid. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2021-06-24.
  26. Web site: 2021-08-09. IBF ends Triller's Aussie plan for Lopez-Kambosos. 2021-09-13. ESPN.com. en.
  27. Web site: 2021-08-14. Lopez-Kambosos now targeted for Middle East. 2021-09-13. ESPN.com. en.
  28. Web site: 2021-10-06. IBF awards Lopez-Kambosos bout to Matchroom. 2021-10-07. ESPN.com. en.
  29. Web site: Eddie Hearn confirms Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos will now be promoted by Matchroom Boxing, broadcast by DAZN DAZN News US. 2021-10-07. DAZN. 6 October 2021 . en.
  30. Web site: George Kambosos Jr. shocks Teofimo Lopez in split decision to become new unified world lightweight champion DAZN News US. 2021-11-28. DAZN. 28 November 2021 . en.
  31. Web site: George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney results: Haney outclasses Kambosos to unanimous decision victory . 2022-06-26 . www.sportingnews.com . 4 June 2022 . en.
  32. Web site: 2022-06-04 . Kambosos able to make weight after initial miss . 2022-06-26 . ESPN.com . en.
  33. Web site: 2022-06-04 . Inside wild weigh-in talks — and the scale move that left Kambosos camp fuming . 2022-06-26 . Fox Sports . en.
  34. Web site: 2022-06-05 . Haney-Kambosos produced domination ... and an unnecessary rematch . 2022-06-26 . ESPN.com . en.
  35. News: Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos Rematch Official: October 15 in Melbourne . BoxingScene.com . en-us.
  36. Web site: Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos 2 results: Haney dominant again, remains undisputed lightweight champ . 12 October 2022 .