George Kambosos Jr rocked the boxing world with a stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, with Manny Pacquiao among those who shared praise for Australia’s newest world champion.
The decisive victory, which saw the Kambosos crown the IBF, WBO, WBA and The Ring lightweight world champions, was even discussed as Australia’s greatest boxing performance in the world arena.
Facing heavy odds and a New York crowd supporting Lopez, Kambosos came to victory by weathering an early storm from his American superstar rival before exploding in the mids to won against the umpires, who awarded 115-111, 115-113, winning 113-114.
“I believe in myself, I believe in myself,” Kambosos said.
THAN: Lopez, How much will the Kambosos make for their fight?
“I thought, ‘I’m going to hit him hard and knock him down,’ and the fight changed that… I’m an unbelievable boxer. I can’t believe I did it. How good at punching.”
“My defense, my movement; so sharp, so fast, so strong. My condition and endurance are unbelievable.
“I was so excited, I got caught. But you know what? What a fighter. I went against all the odds and still finished the fight and won the next round.”
Kambosos’ warrior-like performance against the odds has stunned many and some of the biggest names in the game have praised him.
Congratulations my friend, @georgekambosos, about an epic victory! You have helped me in so many games in my past, I hope our hundreds of innings will help you in some way tonight. I’m proud of you. #LopezKambosos
– Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) November 28, 2021
it’s a fight that 100% lives up to the hype. It’s a war. Congratulations Kambosos. Teofimo will be back✊🏼 #LopezKambososJr
– Nico Ali Walsh (@ NicoAliX74) November 28, 2021
How do we put the Kambosos victory in context? Australia’s biggest boxing win since… Horn-Pacquiao? Tszyu unified the junior weight class title? #LopezKambosos
– Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) November 28, 2021
While Kambosos rocked the boxing world with his victory, Lopez’s reaction also caused a stir. The defending champion is defeated sensational declaration after the war that he won the 12-round match “10-2.”
THAN: Fulton unifies 122-pound titles through thrilling majority decision against Figueroa
“He’s a hell of a boxer, but I won tonight, everyone knows that,” Lopez said to a loud booing local crowd inside the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
“The referee raised his hand. I won tonight, I don’t care what people say, yo, I won tonight. At the end of the day, I was here, I did it, I want to thank you. God, me I want to thank everyone who came out tonight. Look, I’m not a pitiful loser, I win my win like I admit it.”
