Kambosos to attend Haney vs. Diaz AND Gervonta vs. Cruz this weekend

By Boxing News - 12/02/2021 - Comments

By Kenneth Friedman: Promoter Lou DiBella has revealed that George Kambosos Jr. will be attending the Devin Haney vs. Joseph ‘Jojo’ Diaz Jr. and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis vs. Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz fights this weekend.

In theory, this move is being done for the undisputed lightweight champion Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) to scout out his next opponent for early 2022 in Australia for a gigantic stadium fight.

However, it’s likely the true reason for Kambosos to attend those fights is to get visibility from boxing fans worldwide, particularly in the U.S to increase his star power.

DiBella says he’s still looking at options for Kambosos’ next fight, and he says there are a lot more fighters that are being considered besides just the four that are competing this weekend. Kambosos’ next opponent may even come from the 130-lb division, DiBella said.

Kambosos has found himself in the enviable position to pick and choose whoever he wants from the super featherweight and lightweight divisions after beating undisputed 135-lb champion Teofimo Lopez last Saturday night.

“There are a whole lot of 130s that would die for the opportunity to fight for those belts against Kambosos,” said promoter Lou DiBella to ThaBoxingVoice on George possibly defending against a super featherweight next.

Image: Kambosos to attend Haney vs. Diaz AND Gervonta vs. Cruz this weekend

“Come on, Gervonta Davis is one of the best fighters in the world and he hasn’t fought someone from his own weight class in ten years,” said DiBella in reacting to being grief about Kambosos possibly facing a 130-pounder next instead of a 135-pounder.

“I don’t see anything coming soon,” said DiBella about Kambosos being forced to defend against a mandatory next. “I don’t think there’s anything in the immediate horizon that is going to force George to do anything next.

Eddie [Hearn] is already pretending to be the kid’s promoter,” said DiBella.

“George is in an enviable position right now. For a period of time, he’s THE MAN,” said Lou.

It would be a big disappointment for Team Kambosos if one of the sanctioning bodies orders him to make a mandatory defense for his next fight.

With that said, DiBella said the World Boxing Council won’t be one of them because Kambosos holds the Franchise belt with them.

As such, the WBC can’t order Kambosos to defend against #1 ranked contender Vasily Lomachenko next. WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney would be the one that would be stuck having to deal with a mandatory with the organization.

But as DiBella points out, even if the WBC did order Kambosos to defend against Lomachenko, he Wouldnt need to do it for another year.

“We’re going to let these other lightweights have their fights over the next couple of weeks and see who’s the most impressive,” Kambosos said to ESPN. “I obviously made a big statement. I want to see these guys make a good statement.”