LAS VEGAS – George Kambosos Jr. continues to thrive in the aftermath of his championship winning effort over Teofimo Lopez Jr.
The unbeaten Australian’s idea of a victory lap, however, is far different than most in the industry. In lieu of a celebration, the newly crowned lightweight king has embarked on a one-man media tour while even offering to fight again this weekend if the need arises.
Absent his emergency services being required on site, Kambosos (20-0, 10KOs) looks forward to one day facing whoever prevails in the DAZN main event between WBC lightweight titlist Devin Haney (26-0, 15KOs) and Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz (32-1-1, 15KOs) this Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The possibility of crowning a true undisputed champion was passionately but respectfully discussed between the division’s true titlists.
“We’re going to do it one day, trust me,” Kambosos told Haney as the two met after Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference. “We’re going to do it, as long as it makes sense. Look, I told Eddie (Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing and promoter of Saturday’s event), if someone pulls out I’ll fight this weekend.
“We’re gonna get it done. Then, there won’t be any more games.”
Oddly enough, there has been dispute as to whether Sydney’s Kambosos is already the undisputed champion.
The confusion began in 2019, when the WBC created the “Franchise” title. The first two recipients were Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Vasiliy Lomachenko, both of whom were unified titlists at the time and who cashed in their WBC belt for the “Franchise” designation.
At the time, the WBC insisted that it wasn’t a physical belt but rather a status bestowed upon its previously recognized champions who’ve advanced to the sport’s elite level. The intent was to allow such fighters to enter blockbuster fights without being burdened with mandatory title defenses. The results have been mixed at best, though further diluted with the WBC breaking its own rules in back-to-back lightweight title fights.
Brooklyn’s Lopez petitioned—through Top Rank—to claim “Franchise” title status had he beaten Lomachenko in their championship clash last October 17 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. The basis for Lopez’s claim was his having represented Honduras in the 2016 Rio Olympics and going on to win the IBF lightweight belt, The designation allowed Top Rank to market Lopez’s fight with Lomachenko—who held the WBA “Super”/WBO titles and WBC “Franchise” designation—as an undisputed lightweight champion, with the WBC in on the act.
Kambosos also sought permission prior to his November 27 challenge of Lopez to claim such status with a win, despite not necessarily meeting the original WBC criteria. It mattered little to the sanctioning body, who remains content with claiming an undisputed champion in the division as well as a WBC lightweight champ in Haney.
To his credit, Kambosos is willing to accept any challenge to earn the label of undisputed champion. Further, he readily acknowledges Haney not only as a reigning titlist but also a top divisional talent.
“Of course, I respect Devin as a champion,” notes Kambosos, who will be ringside for Haney-Diaz. “I’ve always had respect for him and he knows how much respect I have for him.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox