Twelve years after almost upsetting George Kambosos Jr as an anonymous amateur, Billy Dib’s younger brother is again looking to insert himself into one of the great Australia boxing rivalries.
In a unique, new twist to an old fight feud, Fox Sports Australia can reveal 30-year-old Youssef Dib is preparing to change weight classes so that he can land Kambosos for an all-Australian lightweight showdown.
While for years it was Billy Dib who traded barbs with ‘Ferocious’ over a potential blockbuster bout, it is now undefeated younger brother Yousef taking up the fight.
Apart from winning all 19 fights as a professional, Yousef is also coming off the biggest win of his career — having beaten Kye MacKenzie by unanimous decision last month.
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Despite fighting most recently at super lightweight, the Sydneysider is now planning to come down in weight to chase a showdown against Kambosos — who for a short time held the IBF, WBA and WBO titles.
While the former champ is reportedly in talks with England’s Maxi Hughes for an IBO championship bout – and a potential return to the bigger title picture – Dib insists he is now readying to insert his own name into the conversation.
The fighter trained by Billy Hussein even suggested a Kambosos fight would be the perfect addition to one of this year’s showcase No Limit cards.
Better, the pair have a storyline.
One which dates way back to 2011 when, with just seven amateur fights to his name, it was the younger Dib who almost upset a far more experienced Kambosos in a bout both siblings still remember well.
“Because I actually thought Youi could have edged it,” big brother recalls.
In the years since however, it was ‘Billy The Kid’ who came closest to a showdown with Kambosos as part of a rivalry that even involved in a backstage altercation at a 2016 Footy Fight Night.
Yet with Kambosos having most recently suffered consecutive losses to Devin Haney – which double as the first defeats of his professional career — Youssef insists the time is right for him to change weight classes and put himself into contention for a rematch with the former champ.
“Because I don’t really know where George goes after those two losses to Haney,” he said.
“I know there’s talk of a Hughes fight, although I don’t know if it’s signed, sealed and delivered just yet.
“So if he is looking for somebody in Australia then I’m more than happy to put my hand up.
“While I won’t be that guy who trash talks (to get the fight), I think he knows he would be in for a real fight against me.”
Asked about how he snares a showdown with Kambosos — who remains ranked seventh with the IBF and WBC, No.11 with the WBA and No.13 with the WBO – Dib spoke of potentially working his way into position to be the first fighter the 29-year-old faces if he claims the IBO strap.
“But I definitely feel like I’m ready to go right now, too,” he added.
“First time I fought Kambosos I was only seven fights into my amateur career.
“He had a lot of experience but I made that fight a lot closer than it should have been considering where we were both at.
“He only beat me 12-10 on the old amateur scoring system.
“It was actually 10 each with 30 seconds to go.
“So that’s a rematch I’ve always wanted.
“Even back in 2016 I called George out because he was hunting my brother. I said ‘if you’re chasing Billy come look for me first’.
“So now after beating Kye, I’m hoping to get a platform on one of the big Australian shows.
“I’m 30 … so it’s time to press the go button and showcase my abilities to the world.”
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Older brother Billy, who only recently overcame an incredibly tough, and public, battle with cancer, also stressed his younger brother was ready for the big fights.
“I know George is going to fight for the IBO title,” he said. “So maybe (after Kambosos fights Hughes) we get Youi into a position for an all-Australian showdown.
“I know it would be a great fight.
“Yes, there was a rivalry between myself and George but that fight never happened. So now with Youssef, why not?
“Their fight in the amateurs was so close.
“I actually thought Youi could have edged it but that’s the way amateur boxing goes.
“My brother has called him out a few times now so we’ll see.”
And as for his own rivalry with the former lightweight champ?
“George and I, we’ve had our differences,” he said.
“But after getting sick, I’ve definitely let bygones be bygones — with everyone.”
Asked about making the cut to lightweight Youssef added: “I don’t kill myself in saunas or hot baths, I’ve never had to do any of that.
“So I’m very confident of making that lightweight limit. And I’m confident (in a fight with Kambosos) that I’d get that win too.”