By Vince D’Writer: Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr is set to make his return to the squared circle as he will face IBO lightweight champion Maxi Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs) in the Top Rank Boxing main event on Saturday, July 22nd at the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma live on ESPN+.
This is a very interesting bout due to the fact that it satisfies the needs of both fighters. The Aussie boxer George Kambosos has the opportunity to make his return to the ring against quality opposition, while the British fighter Maxi Hughes gets the chance to showcase his skills against a well known ranked opponent.
Both men have incentive as the Kambosos-Hughes clash will serve as an IBF eliminator. If the undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney decides to vacate his belts and make a permanent move to 140, that could elevate the significance of this matchup.
A native of Sydney, Australia, George Kambosos started his pro boxing career with 19 consecutive victories. He would receive a golden opportunity in November 2021 when he earned a shot at the unified lightweight title.
In the first round of the championship bout, Kambosos shocked the crowd and the defending champion when he landed a counter right hand shot that sent Teofimo Lopez down to the canvas. Lopez would return the favor in the 10th round when he connected with a chopping right hand that sent Kambosos to the mat.
George Kambosos and Teofimo Lopez provided boxing fans with a close, competitive, and very entertaining boxing contest. At the conclusion of 12-rounds, George Kambosos earned a split decision victory and won the WBA, WBO, and IBF world lightweight titles.
After conquering one of the biggest names in the lightweight division, Kambosos decided to defend his unified title against another big-name lightweight seven months later when he battled the then-WBC champion Devin Haney at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
The homecoming fight didn’t go as planned, as Haney defeated Kambosos by way of a unanimous decision. Kambosos immediately activated his rematch clause, but unfortunately, he would go on to lose a second time to the undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.
Now George Kambosos (20-2, 10 KOs) is ready to take the first step in his quest to become a two-time world champion. The bout on July 22nd is a pivotal bout for Kambosos and a big opportunity for Hughes.
“I’m excited to realize my dream of fighting in the USA and to showcase my skills to a new audience. I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Maxi Hughes said.
While Maxi Hughes may view the July 22nd fight as an opportunity, George Kambosos is looking at it as a chance to look impressive and make a statement.
“I am extremely excited and motivated to make a serious statement against Maxi Hughes in my return fight in the United States, the Mecca of boxing.”
Kambosos went on to say, “Maxi Hughes is a good boxer, a tough Englishman, and I’m sure he will try his best, but I know, and he knows that his best will not be enough. Hughes is not elite, and when you have been in there with elite boxers like I have, you pick up on the mistakes in a boxer like Hughes. I will claim his IBO world title and the IBF world title eliminator position on July 22.”