George Kambosos Jr boldly declared Vasiliy Lomachenko no longer “has that dog inside of him” as the two prepare to throw down for the vacant IBF lightweight world title.
The Australian star, who has not lost to any other man outside of Devin Haney, takes on Lomachenko on Sunday at the RAC Arena in Perth.
Boxing: Lomachenko v Kambosos IBF Lightweight World Title Fight | MON 12 MAY 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
It will be Kambosos Jr’s first fight since a contentious victory over England’s Maxi Hughes in which he took home the IBO world title.
As for Lomachenko, he has not fought since a loss to Devin Haney via unanimous decision in May last year, although some boxing pundits did not agree with the judges’ scorecards.
It sets up a tantalising prospect between the two lightweight contenders, although at age 36, Lomachenko is unlikely to have as many years left in the sport as Kambosos does.
And the Aussie believes his levels of motivation over Lomachenko, a world champion in three weight divisions, will simply prove to be too much.
“A 100 per cent Lomachenko has a lot left in the tank,” Kambosos told Boxing Scene.
“But I don’t believe he has that dog inside of him anymore. I don’t think he wants it as bad as I do right now.
“You can never overlook a guy like Lomachenko. I’d be the biggest idiot if I were to do that. Lomachenko is an all-time great and a guy we have a lot of respect for. We are preparing for the best version of Lomachenko.
“Once that bell rings, the respect is out the door and it’s time to do the job.”
The bout between Kambosos and Lomachenko is one that has been almost two years in the making as they were slated to fight back in 2022, but the latter withdrew and elected to stay in Ukraine due to the war against Russia.
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WHEN IS IT?
Kambosos’ epic IBO and IBF lightweight world title encounter against Lomachenko takes place on May 12 at the RAC Arena in Perth.
HOW TO WATCH
Aussie combat fans can catch all of the action from Kambosos v Lomachenko on Main Event via Kayo Sports.
WHEN DOES IT START?
Coverage of the event begins with the prelims on Channel 503 at 11am AEST.
The prelims will last until 12pm, when coverage switches over to the main card on Main Event.
TALE OF THE TAPE
George Kambosos Jr
Age: 30
Record: 21-2 (10KO)
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
Most recent fight: Beat Maxi Hughes via MD to win IBO lightweight world title on July 22, 2023
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Age: 36
Record: 17-3 (11KO)
Height: 170cm
Reach: 166cm
Most recent fight: Lost to Devin Haney via UD for undisputed world lightweight title on 20th May, 2023
BETTING ODDS (via Sportsbet, subject to change)
At the time of writing, Lomachenko is the clear favourite at $1.16 to win while Kambosos Jr is a $5.80 underdog.
The Ukrainian is favoured to win on the scorecards, with a victory via points/decision paying $1.56 while a KO/TKO win stands at $4.10.
As for Kambosos, he is $8.50 to win via points/decision and a $12.50 outsider to secure victory via KO/TKO.
FIGHT CARD (All times AEST, subject to change)
Prelims from 11am
Main card from 12pm
George Kambosos Jr (c) v Vasiliy Lomachenko – for IBO and vacant IBF lightweight world titles
Andrew Moloney v Pedro Guevara — for interim WBC super flyweight world title
Nina Hughes (c) v Cherneka Johnson — for WBA bantamweight world title
Imam Khataev v Ricards Bolotniks — light heavyweight
Joe Goodall v Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu — heavyweight
Hemi Ahio v Lucas Browne — heavyweight