By Huck Allen: Unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. is investing energy into playing mental games with WBC champ Devin Haney this week ahead of their undisputed fight on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia.
Kambosos has focused on shaming Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) for him supplying valuable tips for his previous fight against Teofimo Lopez last November.
This odd approach to throwing Haney off his game doesn’t appear to be working, and Kambosos would be better served to entertain the fans & media without the gamesmanship.
Kambosos’ mental games work?
“Tactics, strategy,” said Ryan Garcia to ESNEWS about Kambosos labeling Haney a “rat” & “Informant” because he gave him fight tips before his fight against Teofimo Lopez last November.
“If Haney doesn’t see that, he’s dumb, but he’s going to see that,” said Ryan about Kambosos’s tactics.
“I think it’s a smart move by Kambosos because it puts pressure on him, especially because he doesn’t have his dad there to show him that support, put that pressure on.
“If I was there, I’d make that move maybe, but then again, I feel like I could beat him [Haney] even without making doing any of that mental games. I feel like I can beat him regardless. I don’t have to say anything.
“But if he wants that smoke and he [Kambosos] came at me, ‘You want to play mental games?’ If I was Haney, I’d say, ‘I’m going to fight you right now, b****.’
“He’s not sharp like that, though. ‘I’m a rat? I’m an informant? I’m going to inform you that I’m going to beat your a** right now. How about that?
“Who’s going to win? I don’t know,” said Ryan when asked who wins the Kambosos vs. Haney fight. “My dad thinks Kambosos. I think my dad might be right. I’m leaning more towards my dad right now. We’ll see. May the best man win,” said Ryan Garcia.
Kambosos warns Haney
“I’m like a man possessed,” said Kambosos to Fighthype. “I’m more relaxed. I’m a champion, I know what I’ve done, and I know I’ve prepared the way I prepared.
“I’m not here trying to overdo myself, I’m not here trying to say, ‘I better start training now because I have to make the weight.’ I’m at the weight right now if I have to, easy.
“I never struggle with anything when it comes to how I prepare. I’m just excited and enjoying the moment. I love to fight, it’s my passion, and I know I’m the one giving the biggest fights possible.
“I’m the one making these fights happen. The boxing world is so well, and I got the biggest balls of all because I beat Teofimo Lopez. I went and beat Lee Selby and Mickey Bey in their backyards.
“Haney has got to deal with me on Sunday, and then after that, I’d be watching my back. I’m sure the [Teofimo] Lopez team is not going to be happy with what Haney has been saying,” said Kambosos.
