This Saturday at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, the fourth undisputed king in the last 13 months will be crowned in the four-belt era of boxing.
Current WBO/WBA/IBF and Ring magazine lightweight champion George Kambosos (20-0, 10 KO) looks to collect the final piece of the puzzle in a bout against rising star Devin Haney (27-0, 15 KO), who brings the WBC lightweight title to the table.
Devin Haney turned pro at the age of 17 after winning seven national titles. Haney won the WBC Youth Lightweight title in 2017 then won the WBC interim title in 2019 against Antonio Moran.
Later on, the WBC promoted Haney to the regular champion, to which Haney has gone on to defend the belt a total of four times, defeating opposition such as Yuriokis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, and Joseph Diaz Jr in that stretch.
George Kambosos made his pro debut in 2013 at the age of 19. Born in Sydney, Australia, Kambosos made a name for himself by defeating Mickey Bey and Lee Selby in 2019 and 2020 respectively that earned him a shot at then unified champion Teofimo Lopez, who was coming off his huge win against Vasyl Lomachenko. After multiple postponements due to COVID-19 and contract disputes, Kambosos finally faced off against Lopez in November 2021 with the WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring magazine lightweight titles on the line. Kambosos put on a strong showing against the favored Lopez, edging out the champion in a split decision win that truly showed the skill difference between both men.
We have a fight! @GeorgeKambosos weighs in at 134.49 pounds and will defend his undisputed crown on Sat. night 👑 #KambososHaney pic.twitter.com/TjadyoM8MH
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 4, 2022
This is a history-making bout for both men, as this will determine who is the first undisputed lightweight champion since 1991 when Pernell Whitaker achieved the feat.
Both men bring very contrasting styles to this bout, as Haney is known to be a defensive force, working very close with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to hone his craft, and utilizes a strong jab. Haney brings a methodical approach to his fights and breaks his opponents down as the fight goes on.
Kambosos is no slouch though, as he also brings a patient and precise style of combat that showed he can hang with the best punchers out there. He went toe to toe to pick Teofimo Lopez apart, showing the grit and heart the Australian has displayed time and time again, as he has won his last three bouts via split decision, and also suffered a knockdown in his last bout with Lopez.
Haney has never been knocked down, or been taken to a split decision ruling. In terms of experience, Kambosos adds to the many factors against Haney to add to the lack of father/coach and hometown disadvantage.
