By: Sean Crose
Undisputed lightweight world champion Devin Haney will once again take on George Kambosos, whom he defeated to become the undisputed champion, on October 15 in Melbourne Australia. Although American Haney went to Australia to defeat the Kambosos last June, the contract required that the second battle be fought in “underground”. To be honest, this isn’t a match that fans are anxious to see, as Haney quite a few times ranked as a pro the first time he and the Kambosos competed in the ring. However, Haney has no intention of breaking the rematch clause.
“MY MAN!” Haney tweeted on Monday. “October 15 will make no difference!” Most would agree that the 20-1 Kambosos simply didn’t have the tools to beat the extremely polished Haney 28-0. The Aussie game certainly didn’t have any answers to Haney’s speed and skill when they first met in June. However, the fight, which is set to take place at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, will most likely succeed in Australia. And, of course, core American fighting fans will no doubt tune in to watch the match live on ESPN or ESPN+ in the hopes that the rematch will be competitive.
Honcho Bob Arum at the Top Rated shows that Kambosos can really relieve anger. “If he approaches the fight differently, he has a good chance,” he declared. “If he fights the same match he fought last time, he has no chance.” Arum, who promotes Haney, also addresses the fact that the public doesn’t exactly love Haney-Kambosos 2. “Why rematch? I go back in history,” Arum said. “I remember that Joe Frazier dominated Muhammad Ali in their first fight. And when the rematch came, Ali was clearly the better one and won the rematch.”
Kambosos seems to be under no illusions how important this rematch is to his career. “It was a great split. But, for me, yes, I’m 29 years old, this is the right thing to do for me now… you won’t see me if I don’t get through this fight back in Australia; fighting with the guys in the country, that’s not me. “If Haney wins as expected, there will be some top opponents he could face, including former lightweight athlete Vasyl Lomachenko.
“Everything I have, I will put it in that ring,” said Kambosos, “and obviously with my training and God willing, I will win on October 16.”
