Kambosos to fight Haney on June 5th, Lomachenko staying in Ukraine to fight war

By Boxing News - 03/21/2022 - Comments

By Sean Jones: Vasily Lomachenko has bravely decided to remain in Ukraine and defend against the Russian invasion, leaving undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. to face his second-string opponent Devin Haney instead on June 5th in Australia.

It’s now official that Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) will be facing WBC lightweight champion Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) next on June 5th at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. ESPN confirmed that Haney, the Plan-B option for Kambosos, will be the one getting the fight.

This will make Haney’s promoter Eddie Hearn happy because he’s been pushing for the Kambosos fight ever since he snatched “them beautiful belts” from Teofimo Lopez on November 27th.

Hearn has finally got his wish, and it could turn out to be an absolute nightmare for the Matchroom Boxing promoter if Haney winds up losing.

If Kambosos loses to Haney, Hearn says he’ll offer him an immediate rematch with Devin, albeit in the United States. That’ll be a bitter pill for Kambosos to swallow, from fighting in front of a huge sell-out crowd in Melbourne, Australia, to battling Haney in a smaller venue in the U.S.

Devin Haney’s fans, who feel that he deserves the Kambosos fight more than the two-time Olympic gold medalist Lomachenko, will be happy now that he’s getting the fight.

The former three-division world champion Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) had received permission to leave Ukraine, according to his promoter Bob Arum, but he’s reportedly chosen to stay there.

It’s a brave thing for Lomachenko to do, considering what Ukraine is up against in being vastly outnumbered.

Vasyl Lomachenko, I respect your decision and I totally understand and pray for you and your country,” said Kambosos on social media. “Please stay safe and once I wipe the floor with Devin, we will make the fight between two real champions. God bless.”

With any luck, Lomachenko will be returning from the war and will challenge the Kambosos vs. Haney winner before the end of the year. That would be a best-case scenario. The worst-case would be Lomachenko unavailable to fight for over a year and fans not being able to see him and Kambosos battle it out for the #1 position at lightweight.

Image: Kambosos to fight Haney on June 5th, Lomachenko staying in Ukraine to fight war

“You were offered it months ago & you played around; in the meantime, the great man Vasily Lomachenko made it very simple to do anything to make it happen & it was a done deal,” said George Kambosos Jr. on social media. “But Loma now has a bigger fight atm which I totally respect, so let’s see how much of your word is true.

Kambosos seems disappointed in not getting the Lomachenko fight, and that’s understandable. He knows Lomachenko is the #1 guy and has done incredible things since turning professional.

In contrast, Haney was elevated to WBC 135-lb champion outside of the ring by the World Boxing Council without ever fighting for his belt.

Assuming Kambosos chooses not to take the rematch with Haney, and Sean Jones doesn’t know why he wouldn’t, Hearn will try and set up a fight with Ryan Garcia. That could be interesting.

“When the gate is closed, the little dog barks and is full of energy, but let’s see when the gate is fully open if the little dog still has the same bark and energy!!! Tick tock ⌛️” said George Kambosos.

Haney’s fans have been complaining night & day for months about him deserving the Kambosos fight more than the former three-division world champion Lomachenko.

“Devin Haney has been offered the undisputed lightweight title fight with George Kambosos on June 5 in Australia,” said Mike Coppinger.