Via Craig Daly: George Kambosos Jr said he wants to take out IBO lightweight champion Maxi Hughes in an IBF title knockout this Saturday, July 22 during a Top promotion event on ESPN+ at Firelake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
(Image credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rated)
It’s a fight that Kambosos has to win as he is perfectly positioned to earn another world title without having to beat any of the top contenders.
Kambosos should have been fighting a top 5 talent contender for the 135 lb IBF championship instead of 33 year old Hughes (26-5-2.5 KOs), but Top Rank is placing him in a war can be won, or at least it should be.
The Kambosos-Hughes event will be shown on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Former IBF, WBA & WBO lightweight champion Kambosos Jr should play one of these high-ranking contenders in the IBF title knockout instead of #9 Hughes:
1. Gustavo Lemos
2. NOT Rated
3. Vasyl Lomachenko
4. Shakur Stevenson
5. Isaac Cruz
6. Frank Martin
7. William Zepeda
It’s unclear why those guys were omitted, allowing Hughes to fight and #8 Kambosos to fight in an IBF title elimination match. Kambosos has lost the last two matches, so staying right there automatically knocks him out to fight in a title elimination match.
“Sports with the best of the best and adds much more to my artillery team. I’m really focused, really zoned,” George Kambosos Jr told fight.
“America, this is boxing here. I’m playing against Maxi Hughes and I’ve got great preparation. I’m in Oklahoma for business. Another world title to add to my collection. Be prepared for another IBF world title.”
It is hoped that Kambosos Jr will battle one of the IBF’s leaderboards if champion Devin Haney vacates, as many believe he will. Fighting another level fighter wouldn’t be fair if it was an empty IBF title.
“I had a great camp. I’m in better shape than I was before the Lopez fight,” Kambosos said. “I just feel good, man. I feel happy, relaxed and calm. I can’t wait to handle the business. No stress. No outside distractions.
“I have no reason to speak in this war. I was just very focused on dismantling him and getting him out of fashion. I have been very silent for this promotion. I did what I had to do to promote.”
It doesn’t matter if Kambosos talks a lot. The boxing public did not pay attention to this match because Hughes was an unknown domestic boxer from England, and Kambosos Jr was considered a one-hit wonder.
“I never looked down on him. I don’t need to say too much,” said Kambosos. “Perhaps he is thinking of an old ‘Fierce’ who destroyed [Teofimo] López. I’ve been trying to understand Haney, a guy who demoralized others.
“For this fight, there are no unusual characters to add to the hype. The hype is in the fight more than anything. He more than anything gets his 15 minutes of fame. This is the first time in his career that he has a camera.
“He was the one who said a few things, took some cheap pictures. We’ve been to major championships and big stadium matches, fighting the best boxers in the world.
“As I’ve said many times, it’s a big difference when you play chess in your area, and then you step up to fight or play chess with the elite, it’s a whole different level. .
“I have been at this level for many years. So I’m ready. He can say what he wants. I’m focusing on getting a big win and making a statement for this fight.
“I think he deserves to be shot, deserves a bit of money out of the sport and you know, I’m excited about that. We have the utmost respect for him,” said Kambosos Jr.
