By Ken Hissner: At Marvel Stadium, Docklands, Melbourne, Australia, before a record 50,000 fans Sunday over ESPN+ and ESPN presented by Bob Arum (Top Rank), WBA, WBO & IBF World Lightweight Champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos, Jr., of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was defeated losing his titles to WBC World Lightweight Champion Devin “The Dream” Haney, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the co-feature, WBC Silver Bantamweight Champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney, of Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia, stopped “Mighty” Aston Palicte of Bago City, Philippines, in the third round.
In the Main Event, WBA, WBO & IBF World Lightweight champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos, Jr., 20-1 (10), #135.3, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, lost to WBC World Lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney, 28-0 (15), #135, of Las Vegas, Nevada, over 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds, Kambosos had the edge. Haney would come back, taking the third and fifth rounds. In the sixth round, Haney countered Kambosos well though Kambosos remains dangerous.
In the seventh round, Haney continued keeping his jab in the face of Kambosos along with a good right to the body. In the ninth round, Haney went down, that referee Hector Afu ruled a slip. Kambosos landed a good right to the chin in the final minute ending a good round for him. In the tenth round, it went back and forth with Kambosos landing overhand rights and Haney countering with lefts to the chin.
In the eleventh round, Haney continued keeping one step ahead, countering Kambosos well. In the twelfth and final round, Haney ended the fight looking like the winner countering Kambosos.
Scores were 116-112 twice and 118-110 with this writer 117 to 111.
In the co-feature, WBC Silver Bantamweight champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney, 24-2 (19), #117 ¾, of Victoria, Australi stopped “Mighty” Aston Palicte, 28-5-1 (23), #117, of Bago City, PH, at 2:35 of the third round of a scheduled ten rounds, for the WBC Silver and vacant WBO International Bantam titles, ten rounds.
In the first round, Moloney used a good body attack to take the round. In the third round, Moloney dropped Palicte with a right on the chin in the final minute of the round. After taking an 8-count, Palicte was swarmed over by Moloney would again drop him with a right causing referee Ignatious Missallidis to stop the fight.
Heavyweight Junior Fa, 19-2 (10), #268 ½, of Auckland, New Zealand, stopped by former WBA World champion, “Big Daddy” Lucas Browne, 31-3 (27), #261, of Perth, Western Australia, Australia, at 1:58 of the first round of a scheduled ten rounds for the WBA Oceania title.
In the first round, Browne countered a Fa jab with an overhand right on the side of the head, dropping him for an 8-count as he struggled to get to his feet. Fa kept moving and grabbing Browne, trying to clear his head, when again another right on the head and down went Fa again as the referee waved it off.
Super Flyweight Andrew Moloney, 23-2 (15), #117, of Kingscliff, New South Wales, Australia, Alexander “Supernova” Espinoza, 21-3-2 (8), #116, of Managua, NIC, eight rounds.
Heavyweight Hemi “The Heat” Ahio, 19-0 (14), #255 ½, of Auckland, Australia, stopped Christian Ndzie Tsoye, 5-5-2 (4), #256 ¼, of Yaounde, Cameron, and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, after two rounds of a scheduled eight rounds.
In the first two rounds, it was all Ahio. The Tsoye corner called a halt after the second round.
Flyweight Taylah Robertson, 5-1 (1), #111 ½, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, defeated Sarah “Big Rig” Higginson, 3-1-1 (1), #110 ¾, of Perth, Western Australia, Australia, over 5×2 rounds.
In the first three rounds, it was close, with the taller Robertson having an edge. In the fourth round, Higginson took the round with left hooks to the chin of Robertson. In the fifth and final round, Higginson may have edged it until the final seconds when Robertson landed a 3-punch combination to the chin.
Scores were 50-45, with this writer 48-47.
Super Welter Terry Nikolas, 2-1-1 (2), #155 ¾, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, ended in a majority draw “Bubba” Lachlan Higgins 7-4-2 (2), #154 ¾, of Momington, Victoria, Australia, over six rounds.
In the first two rounds, the taller Higgins outworked Nikolas. In the third round, Higgins had Nikolas against the ropes with a left hook to the chin. In the fourth and fifth rounds, Nikolas boxed well enough to take both rounds. In the sixth and final round, it went down to the wire as Nikolas took the first half, but Higgins, the last, rocking Nikolas with a right on the chin.
Scores were 57-57 twice 58-56 Higgins, as was this writer.
Welter 18-year-old southpaw Yoel Angeloni, 1-0 (0), #146 ¾, of Cuba and Roma, Lazio, Italy, defeated Ken Aitken, 3-1 (1), #146 ¼, of Brisbane, Australia, in four rounds.
In the second round, Angeloni drew blood from the nose of Aitken. In the fourth round, Angeloni suffered a cut on his left eyebrow due to a clash of heads. Angeloni seemed to win all four rounds.
Scores were 39-37 twice and 40-36 as was this writer.
