Boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi feels that George Kambosos Jr. doesn’t deserve to be fighting Vasily Lomachenko for the vacant IBF lightweight title on May 12th in Perth, Australia.
Malignaggi says the former unified 135-lb champion Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs) hasn’t been relevant since his win over Teofimo Lopez in November 2021.
One Hit Wonder?
He states that Kambosos Jr’s recent form, getting a gift against Maxi Hughes last July and losing his two fights before that against Devin Haney, shows that he’s just “resume-filling” at this stage of his career.
Kammbosos is making money on his one big career win over Teofimo because he’s done nothing since. Malignaggi feels some more deserving lightweights should be fighting for the vacant IBF title rather than Kambosos.
Lack of Skill and Unrealistic Ambition
“Personally, I just don’t think he’s skilled enough for this fight, and I don’t think he wins the fight,” said boxing expert Paulie Malignaggi to ProBox TV, talking about George Kambosos Jr. and his May 12th clash against Vasily Lomachenko for the vacant IBF lightweight title in Perth, Australia.
“I think he set himself up for retirement based on one win over Teofimo Lopez [in November 2021] and got himself several paydays. He’s manufactured that part of the business very well.
Fans would argue these fighters are more deserving to fight for the IBF title than Kambosos:
- Frank Martin
- William Zepeda
- Raymond Muratalla
“I don’t think it’s competitive based on his recent run of form. I just can’t see it being that way. George hasn’t been relevant since he beat Teofimo Lopez. George shouldn’t be in this fight [Lomachenko],” said Paulie.
Respecting the Hustle, But Not the Matchup
“I don’t have a problem with George Kambosos vs. Vasily Lomachenko being made,” said Malignaggi. “I just don’t think it should be a world title fight, not in the lightweight division that has several good fighters that I would rate ahead of Kambosos. I’m still happy that he’s getting that check.”
It’s financial opportunism on Kambosos’ part, taking advantage of his one significant win in his career against Teo, and then milking it for paydays.
“I’m not slamming the actual fight. I’m slamming it as a world title fight because George Kambosos, having won the Teofimo Lopez fight, can grab some of these paydays because that’s how you grab some of these late-career paydays. You sort of become a resume-filler,” said Malignaggi.
