George Kambosos sees fear in Teofimo Lopez’s Eyes
It should be unsurprising that lightweight boxer George “Ferocious” Kambosos (19-0, 10 KO’s) has the American market viewing him as an underdog. Despite being ranked as the WBO’s #1, IBF’s #1 and WBC’s #11 ranked lightweight, many remain unimpressed. To begin, Kambosos has not fought any marquee names here in the states. In fact, he has only fought professionally in the US three times. Within that trio of prizefights, the biggest name and win was a split decision victory over Mickey Bey. In his next bout however, Kamabosos will test his might against WBO, WBA and IBF lightweight champion Teofimo “Take Over” Lopez (16-0, 12 KO’s).
RELATED: Triller Takes Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jnr For $6 Million!
Lopez has been riding on cloud nine since his last outing when he toppled former 140-pound top dog Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko. As one would expect, Lopez is feeling like the man and somewhat untouchable. When asked about Kambosos however, the Take Over insists that he is not looking past Ferocious and is taking him quite seriously. While this may be true, a healthy portion of the boxing public is not.
I SEE FEAR!
As he is not currently a major player in the division, many are writing Kambosos off thinking about bigger fights later. For example, there is a great desire to see Lopez square off with WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney. Not only is there a real grudge and backstory here, this bout would officially crown the undisputed champion of the division.
A dust up with media sensation Ryan “KingRy” Garcia is another bout that has a number of boxing enthusiasts worked up into a lather. Yet, a fight that essentially no one was talking about was Lopez versus Kambosos. Of course, the Australian has heard of this vitriolic chatter condescending on his name, but he is not concerned. Not only does he not pay it any mind, as he told to Fight Hype, he sees fear in Lopez.
“No, I don’t think that he is underestimating me, I have been asked that question a few times. I think he fears me! I think he fears me. No one has ever said to him, ‘you know what, I’m coming for you. I don’t fear you.’ No one has been as fast as I am fighting him and have the hunger that I have, the will power that I have. So I believe there is a bit of fear there in his eyes. Look, underestimate me, fear me, it doesn’t bother me. I got a job to do.”
CHILDISH WAYS
For all his fans and supporters, Lopez most certainly has his fair share of detractors. One of the primary gripes that they have is that the Take Over does too much talking. Hearing him go on about how he runs the division and is the best thing since indoor plumbing rubs some folks the wrong way. Surprisingly, Kambosos does not agree with that criticism. For his money, given the amount of success that he has enjoyed so early in his career, Ferocious believes Lopez is doing exactly what is expected.
“I don’t think he is arrogant. No, I don’t think he is arrogant, I think things came to him too fast. I believe it all happened too quick at 23 years of age. At 23, I was still here, grinding and fighting for like five, ten grand, working the hard road to get to the top. I think things happened too fast and just by nature he is acting the way that he is. Probably not even his fault but just by nature he is carrying on the way that he is.”
At the end of the day however, all behavior and antics aside, Kambosos is confident he has Lopez’s number! If that turns out to be the case, it will make for one tremendous upset! Regardless of the outcome, 3kingsboxing will be there to report.
By: Bakari Simpson
