Tim Tszyu says George Kambosos Jnr is far from a spent force on the world stage – adamant the man responsible for one of the nation’s greatest boxing upsets is now set to claim another title via devastating KO.
While he may be coming off consecutive losses to American superstar Devin Haney, Kambosos returns to Main Event this Sunday in an IBO world title headliner against Englishman Maxi Hughes.
Apart from challenging for Hughes’ IBO strap, the event also doubles as an eliminator for the IBF title – one of four belts Haney took from ‘Ferocious’ when they first squared off in 2022.
BOXING | SUN JULY 23: Australian George Kambosos Jr returns in a lightweight clash against Maxi Hughes. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >
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While it has now been roughly 18 months since Kambosos shocked the fight world — upsetting then undisputed lightweight king Teofimo Lopez – Tszyu is backing his former gym partner to win himself another strap, and again contend against the biggest names in the division.
In preparation for the Oklahoma bout, the 30-year-old has been training out of Las Vegas — sparring former WBO junior featherweight world champion Jessie Magdaleno and promising youngster Emiliano Vargas, the son of two-time world champion Fernando Vargas.
Asked for a prediction by Fox Sports Australia this week, Tszyu tipped Kambosos by KO, adding that Hughes was “tailor made” for him.
The Soul Taker also revealed fellow Aussie, and former rival, Jack Brubaker was “delusional” to think he was capable of beating up on his brother Nikita in a Sydney Pay-Per-View event next month.
After two years out of the sport, Brubaker looks set to headline against the younger Tszyu sibling in August after scoring a tough decision win against Troy O’Meley on Wednesday night’s No Limit Fight Night card.
Elsewhere during the event, rising lightweight Youssed Dib also called out Kambosos after courageously fighting back from a sixth round knockdown to stop tough rival Miles Zalewski in the ninth.
Despite the Dib challenge, Kambosos is looking to put himself back into contention for some of the division’s biggest names against Hughes this Sunday.
And backing him to get it done is Tszyu.
During the early stages of his career, Kambosos trained out of the famed Kostya Tszyu Boxing Academy at Rockdale under the tutelage of Igor Goloubev, Tim’s uncle.
Goloubev was in Kambosos’ corner for his entire amateur career and then his first 12 professional fights before the group decided to part ways.
Yet when asked this week to give his prediction for Sunday’s IBO headliner, Tszyu said: “Kambosos wins easy.
“This fight is tailor-made for George and I think he’s got vengeance on his mind.
“So I think he wins easy — knocks him out.”
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Since taking the undisputed title from Lopez, Kambosos has since lost twice to Haney – both lopsided decisions in Melbourne last year.
While the two losses remain the only blemishes on the ‘Ferocious’ resume, several fight analysts have suggested the 30-year-old is now done as a genuine lightweight force.
Despite briefly contemplating retirement following the second Haney loss, Kambosos is now back and determined to prove the doubters wrong.
And supporting his push for a return to the top of the division is Tszyu.
Asked about suggestions that Kambosos’ time at the top was over, Tszyu shook his head saying: “I disagree.
“His only loss is to Haney who is top of the tree. George has always been a 100 per cent professional and I think he wins this easy.”
Elsewhere, Tszyu also suggested returning Aussie favourite Jack Brubaker is “delusional” if he thinks he can beat Nikita off the back of his O’Meley win.
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Speaking days out from the bout, No Limit CEO George Rose has said the winner would be given the opportunity to turnaround in five weeks and face the younger Tszyu sibling – who is set to headline a No Limit Pay-Per-View card in August.
Back in 2019, Brubaker fought Tim Tszyu but was stopped after just four rounds, when his corner threw in the towel.
So what chance the Sutherland Shire fighter now gains redemption by handing Nikita Tszyu his first loss as a professional?
“Oh, man, that bloke’s in a dream world,” Tim Tszyu laughed this week.
“I like Jack, he’s a good bloke.
“But he’s delusional.
“I think he’s been hit a few too many times.
“Putting him in with a little beast like Nikita, it’s not going to end well. Imagine what Nikita will do to the poor kid.”
But as for little brother ending Brubaker quicker than you did?
“Oooooh, that’s a good question,” Tim grinned, before adding: “I don’t think so.”
Hughes, meanwhile, says he plans to expose the mental demons plaguing Kambosos Jr when the pair square off on Sunday.
“I feel like I’m getting George at the right time,” the Englishman told Sporting News this week.
“I chose this fight. I reached out to him and it is a fight that I wanted. I’m very confident in myself.
“He’s got those demons to exorcise – he’s coming off two back-to-back losses and in 24 rounds he barely won one.
“He’ll tell you he hasn’t (got demons) because he’s very egotistical and a very proud man but when he’s not got his team around him, and he’s in bed alone, he’s got to battle those demons.
“He won’t have his team around him to blow smoke up his backside and it’s the same on fight night; it’s just me and him in there.”