George Kambosos and Devin Haney have struck a deal for a June 5 combat for the undisputed light-weight championship at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, High Rank introduced on Thursday.
The bout will happen Sunday afternoon in Australia to accommodate a June 4 prime-time broadcast in the USA on ESPN.
Haney, a 23-year-old rising star from Las Vegas, has competed on DAZN for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing throughout his previous six fights, however his deal expired. Haney signed a multifight co-promotional take care of High Rank and Lou DiBella to combat completely on ESPN platforms, sources informed ESPN.
The deal features a rematch clause if Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) wins, sources mentioned. Within the occasion Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) loses and workout routines his proper to a return bout, that combat additionally would happen in his native Australia. Even when Haney loses, his subsequent bout afterward can be co-promoted by High Rank and DiBella.
Kambosos, who holds all 4 main sanctioning physique titles at 135 kilos, wanted an opponent for the primary protection of his championship after Vasiliy Lomachenko determined to stay in war-torn Ukraine slightly than head to Australia for coaching camp.
Lomachenko had agreed to a deal earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine. After officers concerned had been knowledgeable Monday that Lomachenko was out, talks resumed with DAZN for a Kambosos-Haney bout.
DiBella, who promotes Kambosos, could not attain a take care of DAZN to stream the bout so he pivoted to ESPN, this time with Haney because the opponent.
Kambosos, 28, defeated Teofimo Lopez in November to seize 4 titles in ESPN’s Upset of the 12 months. The combat was brutal from the opening bell; Kambosos dropped Lopez in Spherical 1 however was compelled to outlive a Tenth-round knockdown en path to the split-decision victory.
The Australian is rated No. 1 by ESPN at light-weight, however he’ll be put in as an underdog as soon as once more. Haney, ESPN’s No. 4 boxer at 135 kilos, broke out in 2021 with determination victories over former champions Jorge Linares and Joseph Diaz Jr. in Might and December, respectively.
The graceful-boxing Haney is not an influence puncher however possesses a wonderful jab and is considered one of many sport’s greatest defensive fighters.
Kambosos wasn’t well-regarded earlier than he earned a title shot with a split-decision win over Lee Selby in October 2020. Even then, he was considered as a routine title protection towards Lopez, then seen as one of many sport’s prime pound-for-pound boxers.
However Kambosos shocked the boxing world together with his grit, mixture punching and energy in top-of-the-line performances of 2021.
Including intrigue to the combat is the controversy relating to the WBC title. Kambosos gained the IBF, WBO, WBA titles and the WBC franchise title from Lopez. Haney is the holder of the WBC’s title as effectively.
Whereas many regard Kambosos as an undisputed champion, there are additionally those that consider Haney has a reputable declare to his personal WBC title. Haney was elevated from interim titleholder to WBC champion whereas Lomachenko was designated franchise champ. Loma then misplaced the titles to Lopez in October 2020 earlier than Lopez was defeated by Kambosos.
If Haney can defeat Kambosos twice, there will likely be plentiful choices for him on ESPN. He is mentioned a bounce to 140 kilos within the close to future, the place he may very well be matched with Lopez. But when stays at 135, a high-stakes showdown with Lomachenko is feasible in 2023, as is a combat with Ryan Garcia.
However first, Haney will journey midway all over the world for his shot at light-weight supremacy.
