By Sam Volz: Devin Haney denies that he helped George Kambosos Jr by giving him helpful tips before his fight last November against unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) told the media during the last week that Haney is a “rat,“ an “informant” by turning on his own U.S countryman Teofimo by giving him advice before he challenged Teo.
Kambosos Jr defeated Teofimo by a 12-round split decision in that fight by pushing a fast pace that eventually wore down the injured, tired-looking champion.
If Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) didn’t supply Kambosos with the advice that he says he did, why has he been banging on about this subject incessantly since last week? Would Kambosos Jr. make this up out of thin air, coming up with something that’s not true to gain an edge? If so, why such a small thing?
Surely, Kambosos could dream up something more significant than receiving tips from Haney.
“Hell, no. I didn’t give any tips. We’re not friends like that,” said Haney to K.O. Artist Sports when asked if he’s given Kambosos tips on defeating Teofimo Lopez before their fight last November.
It probably doesn’t matter if Haney gave Kambosos tips or not. It’s in the past now, and Kambosos dredging it up to get a mental edge against Haney doesn’t seem to work because he still appears quite focused and is ignoring his attempts to undermine him.
If Kambosos’ angle is trying to make Haney look bad so that fewer boxing fans support him afterward, it’s a waste of time.
The casual boxing fans will be evident to all of this background chatter from Kambosos, and they’ll only be paying attention to what happens inside the ring on Sunday. As for the hardcore boxing fans feel that Kambosos is desperate and grabbing at anything to try and unnerve Haney.
“They know the skillset that I bring to the table,” said Haney when told that Teofimo believes he will beat Kambosos.
“Teo has been in there with George, and he knows what skillset he brings to the table. He’s also been in there with me. We sparred before, so he knows what’s going to happen.
“I’ve been going after those guys,” said Haney when asked if he’ll start calling out Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia should he come out victorious on Sunday against Kambosos. “I’ve been calling for those fights, and I’ve been saying I want to make those fights happen.
“Nothing will change. I want to make the biggest fights happen, whether it’s at 135 or 140. We just want to see. My main focus is to get past George Kambosos now.
“I’m not taking him lightly. I’m not looking past him. I’ve been training hard. This is the Super Bowl of boxing, I’m in it, and I’m excited about it.
