By Sean Jones: George Kambosos Jr. reminded this writer of the grand inquisitor on Sunday with the way that he was putting WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney’s feet to the fire about the tips that he’d supposedly given him before his fight with Tefoimo Lopez.
It was as if Kambosos had found his calling with the way he was firing questions at Haney left & right on stage over his role in giving him tips to help him dethrone Teofimo.
Kambosos felt that the tips that Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) had supplied to him about his fellow American Teofimo amounted to him being a “rat,” an informant.
From Haney’s standpoint, you could understand why he was willing to give Kambosos some badly needed tips because he had something to gain by a victory for him over Teofimo.
Haney had no chance of fighting the Top Rank promoted Teofimo when he held the four titles.
The only chance Haney had in fighting for the undisputed lightweight championship is if Kambosos defeated Teofimo, so it’s not surprising why Devin was willing to give the Australian help.
This Saturday, Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) fights the unified champion Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs for the undisputed lightweight championship on June 4th at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. The fight will be shown on ESPN+ and ESPN.
George Kambosos: “This fight feels different for me. It’s something I can really get up for, and I just can’t wait,” said Haney during Sunday’s press conference with Kambosos.
“I’ve become more obsessed. I’ve become a champion, and I realize I love this sport more than anything else in the world. I’m blessed to be here. I made this happen. If not for me, this wouldn’t be happening here. Bring on June 5th, this Sunday.”
Devin Haney: “This means everything. This is a dream come true of mine since I was a young kid. This was the biggest achievement in boxing, and I can’t wait for June 5th to come.
“There’s nothing he can do in the ring that’s better than me. I will show it on fight night. I think he’s a good fighter, But I think I’m on a whole different level.
“It’s for me to show on fight night. I’ve got many different styles. I make adjustments. There are many different things I can do in the ring, but on fight night we have a game plan and it’s going to work.”
Kambosos: “The fans, the support for both of my countries are there. I feel it every bit everywhere I go,” said Kambosos Jr. “I can’t wait to handle business on Sunday.
“I had to earn my belts, earn them the hardest way. Not like this guy that was given a present. I earned mine. I took the best out. I know that stadium is going to be buzzing with my support.
“I just love to fight. It’s just me and him in that ring on Saturday. It’s a great moment for Australian boxing, and I am excited. I am the top dog, I am the top guy. I will handle business on Sunday.”
Haney: “The same George I always see. He’s nothing but an actor. He’s putting on an act, a facade. I have respect for him and look forward to sharing the ring with him and putting on a good fight for the fans.”
Kambosos: “Unfortunately, Devins’s father is not here for the moment. Again, I’ve tried my best to handle the situation, but that’s on them. I really don’t know why they let this guy into the country.
“I didn’t think they let informants into the country. This guy is an informant, this guy is a rat. I’ll tell you why. The Teofimo Lopez fight against a foreigner, and he was messaging me, telling me every bit.
“This is a rat, this is a snitch, this is an informant. On Sunday, I’m going to whip your a***. When you get back to Las Vegas, Teofimo Lopez will be looking for you too.
“That’s a rat.”
Haney: “Do you know the definition of a rat?”
Kambosos: “Yes or no, were you not ratting on your own countryman?
Haney: “What’s the consequence?”
Kambosos: “Were you not ratting on your own countryman?”
Haney: “I had both sides of it. If he won, I would fight Teo. If you won, I would have fought you.”
Kambosos: “Were you not ratting on your own countryman? This guy acts like a gangster. He’s not a gangster. He’s as fake as that belt. Where’s your fake belt?”
“To fight for both of my countries, and give honor to my countries means the world to me. I’d die for my country and they’d die for me. I respect everyone in my country, and I’d never turn my back on anyone in my country. Not like this guy. Me, my country, I’d die for.
“I brought in some very good sparring partners, but this guy likes to run, he likes to move. He’s nothing special, the holes are there. He’s been hurt by an old pensioner [Jorge] Linares.
“He was hurt by a little featherweight & bantamweight in JoJo Diaz. I was there at ringside, and I nearly fell asleep, to be honest with you because it was that boring.
“On Sunday, I get to step inside the ropes and punish this guy. It’s amazing. This is what sports are about. I made this happen. I chose the biggest fights possible.
“I fought Lopez and now this guy. Everybody knew that I was prepared to fight Lomachenko. That was done. He couldn’t make it because of his war. No problem, Devin.
“You want to step up, step up. He did, okay, but he was forcing this. He’s not my mandatory. Are you my mandatory?” said Kambosos.
Devin Haney: “The [Australian] government wouldn’t have put up the money if it wasn’t against me,” said Haney. “Me or Loma.”
Kambosos: “The government was ready with Lomachenko.”
Haney: “Then Loma couldn’t fight, so you have to pick me.”
Kambosos: “No, incorrect. I could have fought anyone. “I could have fought the garbageman outside if I wanted to, but I chose you. You’re not my mandatory. I picked you. So you’re here, and everything going to go on Sunday.”
Haney: “When is that act going to stop? When is that s*** going to stop? We can see right through it. Just be you. That’s all you got to do is be you.”
“Kambosos: I never changed.”
Haney: “You’re an actor.”
Kambosos: “The Lopez conference was exactly the same. Beautiful, I’d rather be an actor than a rat.”
Haney: “You don’t know the definition of a rat.”
Kambosos: “A little snitch. Look in the dictionary. Yes, I’ve manifested it for many years [fighting in front of a sold-out stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
“I said before the Lopez fight that I would fight, win the fight and bring all these belts back home and fight in a stadium. Everything that I have come true. I’ve manifested it, I’ve believed it and this is beautiful.
“To be here at Marvel Stadium, a sellout, my people and their champion. It’s going to be wonderful. The support from the Greek community, it’s been amazing, and the support from the Australian community has been great. I can’t wait until Sunday.”
