Different war, same result.
Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney edged out George Kambosos Jr to win a rematch on Saturday (Sunday in Australia) in Melbourne, repeating a performance that won him four major titles in June.
The official scores are 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. In the first match, Haney won with scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.
Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) picks Kambosos (20-2, 10 KOs) from safe distance from start to finish, setting up clean powerful shots with his long and precise thrust to win. won round after round.
Kambosos never gives up but does more poses than punches, probably because he is afraid of being countered. And when he let go, he had trouble finding the target.
Haney is far ahead of the Kambosos 202 to 76, according to CompuBox. The Australian landed an average of just six per round.
Haney, who was determined to make a statement, picked up his pace late in the game in an apparent attempt to score a knockout. In the end, though, he had to settle for another point-dominating victory.
One difference from the first fight: Haney relies on his right hand more than his left to dominate Kambosos.
“I knew he was looking for the jab so I wanted to show off some of the other tools in my arsenal,” he said. “My dad (coach Bill Haney) wanted me to throw more hooks but I feel like my right arm was what helped me win tonight’s game.”
Haney had hoped that another one-sided win over Kambosos would put him on the pound-for-pound list, if he wasn’t already there. (He is an Honorable Mention on the Boxing Junkie list.)
He feels he has done enough to realize that goal.
“The first fight they said all I had was a stab,” he said. “Today I went on the pitch and showed my right arm, how versatile I am. I have been to Australia not once but twice, I am very honored. And I beat the man in [backyard] twice.
“I definitely deserve to be in the pound-for-pound rankings.”
He also deserves more fights.
Indeed, bigger tests certainly lie ahead for Haney, who will probably now take on better 135-pound athletes than Kambosos. These include Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
He is not afraid of anyone.
“We take in everyone who comes, whoever it is,” he said. “We want to fight the best boxers in the world. I believe that I am the best boxer in the world. Who’s next, bring him in.”
