Is George Kambosos Committing Career Suicide by Chasing Devin Haney Rematch?
In “Ferocious” George Kambosos’s (20-1, 10 KO’s) mind, his last match was meant to cement his name in boxing and Australian history. Had the dream come to fruition, he would have truly become the undisputed champion of the division in a blockbuster hometown event. Sadly for him, Devin “The Dream” Haney (28-0, 15 KO’s) ransacked those plans with little more than a jab and nifty footwork.
After pitching a masterclass performance, Haney entered the ring with his WBC title yet left with the WBA Super, IBF and WBC belts. As the legitimate undisputed champion of the division, Haney established his dominance on Kambosos’s back. Understandably, Ferocious is having a devil of a time living with the loss. Feeling that he is only an alteration or two away from victory, according to News Corp, the Australian bruiser has chosen to enact his immediate rematch clause. Yet, is this really the move that he wants to make?
GLOOMY ALTERNATIVES
True enough, Kambosos was known in boxing circles. He had gained respectable attention with his matches with Lee Selby, Mickey Bey as well as from the sparring he did with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Yet, the peak of his popularity and camera attention manifested after he toppled Teofimo Lopez to become a unified champion. Regrettably for him, it was all gruffly snatched away in his first title defense.
If he is not successful in recapturing his titles, especially at home, back-to-back losses could prove to be a dagger in his career’s heart. To begin, Australia is largely already off the beaten path of the general boxing fan. Of course, there is Kambosos, and super welterweight Tim Tszyu making noise for their nation. Yet, Tszyu is still in the process of proving that he belongs on the top level. Ironically, to a large degree, so is Kambosos!
Aside from these two, one would be hard pressed to find Australian fighters in recent times that remained a consistent force in the sport. On a domestic level sure, but not at the top of the global stage. One would have to start going back to fighters like Vic Darchinyan and Tim Tszyu’s father, Kostya Tszyu, for that type of resume and presence.
THINK ABOUT IT!
This is all said to say, losing back-to-back matches at home following his biggest win could prove to be devastating. It really may be the smarter play for him to lick his wounds and take a couple acclimating and confidence building bouts first.
If trounced by Haney again though, Kambosos might find himself reduced in the rankings to where climbing back to the top may be a formidable task. Clearly, Ferocious thinks he sees something he can exploit, yet the troubling part is he and his team already had that feeling! Obviously, they didn’t get very far, so let’s see how the second go around pans out for him.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Bakari Simpson
