The historic duel will take place on Saturday, June 4, Prime Time, LIVE on ESPNESPN Deportes and ESPN+ – Main Card set to proceed at 10am AEST / 8pm ET
“Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. of Australia, WBO/WBA/IBF/WBC Franchise/Ring Magazine lightweight world champion, will battle WBC world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney for the Melbourne Supremacy and undisputed championship on Thursday. June 7, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Kambosos-Haney will be broadcast in prime time, live on ESPNESPN Deportes & ESPN+.
Kambosos, who was born and raised in Sydney, returns to the friendly tournament Down Under for the most important boxing match in Australian history.
Event organizers hope to break the Australian attendance record of 51,026 set by the 2017 Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn superfight in Brisbane. Kambosos is of Greek descent, and Melbourne has the largest Greek population in the world outside of Greece.
Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Fierce Deals, Top Rated, Devin Haney Promotions, Duco Events and TEG Sport, discounts and ticket details to be announced shortly. Devin Haney Promotions recently entered into a multi-battle advertising partnership deal with DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank.
George Kambosos
“After five years chasing championship glory abroad and fighting in enemy territory, I am back home to defend what I have conquered in the world of boxing, my world lightweight title. .
All that I put my mind to and expressed came true with my unwavering hard work, dedication and discipline to the sport I love.
I’ve always said I’m going to be world champion the hard way, fight overseas and then take home a big game in the stadium to defend my world title.
On the 4th of June at the amazing 60,000-seat Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, I could do it right at home during Australia’s biggest ever boxing event, when I say defending the IBF, WBO, WBA, WBC Franchise and Ring Magazine lightweight world titles against Devin Haney, who will deliver his version of his WBC title.
I’m excited and hungry to continue building my legacy, and I’ll win by any means necessary on June 4th when Haney steps up the Marvel Stadium lion den in front of the Aussie lion. This Greece. I will not only take his belt but also put a serious mark on his young career. ”
Lou DiBella – promoter
“The Emperor, George Kambosos, is a different breed. He sought out Vasiliy Lomachenko’s challenge to give the Australian people the greatest event possible.
When duty to the country kept ‘Loma’ from being present, George requested the biggest event possible and the biggest challenge in Devin Haney,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.
“June 4 is going to be epic. Credit goes to George for his drive to unprecedented greatness and Devin Haney for keeping his word and accepting the ultimate lightweight unification for boxing fans around the world.
A big thank you to the Victorian Government for their patience and unwavering commitment to bringing this great event to Marvel Stadium in beautiful Melbourne.
As George is proud of his Greek and Australian ancestry, Melbourne, home to a large and vibrant Greek community, was the perfect city for this Spartan warrior to defend his belt.
Melbourne has hosted the Olympics, is home to the Australian Open, among other major events, and Kambosos-Haney will rock Marvel Stadium. ”
Peter Khan – manager of Kambosos
Kambosos manager Peter Kahn said: “Since 2017, when George and I started working together, he has expressed his desire to fight abroad to fulfill his goal of winning the world championship. light limit”.
“He said he would bring the belt, in this case the belt, back to Australia and pack a stadium for his first defense.
Five years later, that’s exactly what he’s doing on June 4 when he faces Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight world championship in Melbourne, Australia. ”
Devin Haney
“First of all, I want to give all my praises to Allah. Without him, none of this would be possible. Second, I would like to thank my father and coach, Bill Haney, who has been my rock, as well as my team and family for the countless support and sacrifices throughout my journey. this.
Thanks to Lou DiBella, Bob Arum and ESPN for giving us this huge platform and the opportunity of a lifetime.
I would also like to give a special thanks to the Victorian Government and the officials who organized this event.
I started my career fighting in small bars in Mexico. Now, I’m at the pinnacle of greatness, showing my skills on the world stage, fighting for lightweight supremacy.
I didn’t go this far to just get this far. On June 4th, I claim my place in history and add to my legacy! The undisputed lightweight king… I come with all the belts! ”
Bill Haney – Devin’s father
“Traveling more than 8,000 miles to Melbourne is nothing compared to the journey Team Haney has taken since Devin turned pro nearly seven years ago at a pool hall in Tijuana, Mexico,” said Bill Haney.
“I always knew Devin was destined for greatness. On June 4, he will prove to the Australian people, along with all boxing fans around the world, that he is the lightest person in the world.
Devin is the most shunned fighter in the division. For Kambosos to step up and face the challenge is commendable. Stupid, but commendable. History will soon be made.”
Bob Arum
Bob Arum, Chairman of Top Rank, said: “We are delighted to bring the undisputed lightweight championship to the beautiful city of Melbourne.
“George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney requested this match, and it will be an historic boxing night that will capture the attention of fans around the world.”
David Higgins
David Higgins, Founder and CEO said: “A bout of this magnitude is destined to become the biggest boxing event in Australian history, and Melbourne is certainly the perfect host city with has a long history of hosting world-class and globally recognized sporting events.” by Duco Events.
“With the undisputed world championship of lightweight, Melbourne will see an epic battle between two incredible sportsmen at the height of their power.”
Victoria’s Employment Minister Jaala Pulford said: “This will be the biggest boxing competition of the year and will draw thousands of fans to Melbourne.
Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2013 and fought his first 13 fights in Australia before starting his life as a road warrior.
He claimed the lightweight championship title with an October 2020 win over former British world champion Lee Selby in London. Thirteen months later, he arrived in New York City and stunned 10-v-1 favorite Teofimo Lopez with a split decision in a 12-round bout to become the unified lightweight champion.
The Kambosos knocked out Lopez in the opening round, survived the knockdown in the 10th round, and then returned with an angry late hit in the championship round to cement the win.
Kambosos earned ESPN.com’s Upset of the Year honors for his effort, topping the pound-for-pound charts and becoming an instant superstar in Australia.
Instead of defending the title, Kambosos insisted on bringing a big event back to his hometown. He has a dream, and he looks to a 23-year-old prodigy to bring absolute clarity to the lightweight.
Haney (27-0.15 KOs), a Las Vegas resident who won seven national titles as an amateur, was pegged to superstar stardom when turning pro less than a month after giving birth 17th birthday in December 2015.
He made his US debut in April 2016 on the undercard Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley III in Las Vegas. Before reaching legal drinking age in the United States, Haney moved up the ladder with a one-way victory over veteran contenders Mason Menard, Juan Carlos Burgos and Antonio Moran.
His knockout match against Moran was selected as the 2019 Knockout Match of the Year on ESPN.com. Haney won the WBC Interim lightweight belt against Zaur Abdullaev in September 2019 and was quickly elevated to full champion.
He has defended his green belt four times and has ousted former world champions in his last three outings. In 2021, Haney is the author of two signature wins in his career as a Las Vegas frontrunner.
He overcame third-place dollar Jorge Linares over 12 rounds in May and was followed by a clear scoreline victory over former lightweight champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. in December.
