George Kambosos Staking his Legacy on Defeating Lomachenko
George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) looks at his upcoming fight against three-division champion Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) as his moment of redemption. Not only is it an opportunity to win the vacant IBF lightweight title; it’s also the chance to shut down the perception that he’s a one-hit wonder.
Fighting in front of his home crowd at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, Kambosos spoke to Top Rank Boxing and explained what’s on the line against “Loma”. The motivation is at an all-time high for Kambosos for his upcoming battle on May 11 (May 12 in Australia). Ferocious has the attitude of a hungry and desperate man who is ready to put everything on the line.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to beat this guy, hurt this guy, put this guy away . . . Legacy is what matters to me. My only focus, my only goal is May 12, beating Lomachenko.
It gets me back to the number one lightweight in the world. It gets me back to the big fights.”
A FIGHTER OF SUBSTANCE OR SUBPAR CONTENDER?
A win would also silence many of Kambosos’ critics. He won the unified lightweight title with a split-decision victory over Teofimo Lopez in November 2021. But since that victory, the former champion has lost more bouts than he’s won.
Kambosos lost back-to-back fights to Devin Haney in June and October of 2022. The most recent outing for Kambosos was a majority-decision win over Maxi Hughes in July 2023. It was a fight that fans believed should have been ruled for Hughes.
In boxing, perception is reality. For many in the boxing community, the perception is that Kambosos is a flash in the pan. The Aussie said that his recent form was due to lost focus and falling into the trappings of the bright lights. Against Lomachenko, the 30-year-old must be in top form to win.
A three-division champion, Loma is a future Hall of Famer. When at his best, Lomachenko is easily one of the best fighters in the sport. Can Kambosos summon the strength and resolve to overcome a daunting task? Does he even have the ability to compete with Lomachenko, a fighter of such immense skill? Kambosos has no doubts about victory.
“My mindset is on facing the best Lomachenko there’s ever been. This is my career-defining moment that Kambosos is still here . . . I feel like that belt is not meant to be for him. I will take that IBF belt and add it to my cabinet.”
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