Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1654405935

Kambosos vs Haney LIVE: Stream, latest updates and fight result tonight

Re-live updates from the main event at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Sunday 05 June 2022 06:12 BST
Comments
Devin Haney celebrates becoming undisputed lightweight champion against George Kambosos Jr
Devin Haney celebrates becoming undisputed lightweight champion against George Kambosos Jr (EPA)

Devin Haney became undisputed lightweight champion on Sunday with a unanimous-decision win against George Kambosos Jr, putting on a clinic to beat the Australian in hostile territory in Melbourne. Both fighters entered the main-event contest with belts on their shoulders and unbeaten records to boot, but it was Haney who left Marvel Stadium with all the gold, adding Kambosos Jr’s WBA, WBO and IBF titles to his WBC strap.

American Haney, 23, produced a near-shutout performance to dethrone Kambosos Jr and hand the 28-year-old the first defeat of his professional career, with the judges’ scorecards somewhat kind to the Australian in reading 116-112, 116-112, 118-110. From the opening bell Haney fought from behind his jab, timing his shots well and disrupting the rhythm of Kambosos Jr as the home fighter looked to counter-punch. Haney stayed disciplined and consistent throughout the bout, while Kambosos Jr became increasingly frustrated as he began to sport bruises and miss with lunging hooks.

Bad blood seemed be boiling in the lead-up to the fight, but rather than spilling it over it simply evaporated after the decision was announced, with both lightweights paying one another respect. “I take my hat off to him, because he’s a true warrior,” Haney said. “Even though he got disrespectful, I stayed a gentleman and I stayed respectful. I want to thank George Kambosos and all of Australia for coming out.”

Re-live updates below.

1654393236

Kambosos Jr vs Haney

Here’s all you need to know about tonight’s main event in one handy article...

Kambosos vs Haney time: When are ring walks in UK and US for fight this weekend?

All you need to know about the main event and undercard

Alex Pattle5 June 2022 02:40
1654391318

Kambosos Jr vs Haney

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of George Kambosos Jr vs Devin Haney!

Bad blood may well be spilled when Kambosos Jr and Haney go head to head in Melbourne today, as the pair clash to crown an undisputed lightweight champion.

Haney will be in hostile territory at Marvel Stadium as he puts his WBC belt on the line, while Australian Kambosos Jr defends his WBO, WBA and IBF straps against the American. Each fighter will also look to remain undefeated in the main-event contest, with Haney’s professional record standing at 27-0 (15 knockouts), while Kambosos Jr is 20-0 (10 KOs). In his last outing, 28-year-old Kambosos Jr earned a career-defining victory over Teofimo Lopez, dethroning the American with a split-decision win in November. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Haney outpointed Joseph Diaz last April to retain his WBC title.

Kambosos Jr required two attempts to make weight on Friday, before declaring it was the “art of war, baby, deception”. The Australian continued: “Let them believe that this was done. Anything is for a cause, anything is for a process. Trust me. Tomorrow, just be here. Art of war, deception, maybe I did it on purpose.” Haney, meanwhile, was given a late boost by his father’s arrival in Australia. Bill Haney, who trains his son, was granted a visa on short notice and will be in the WBC champion’s corner in Marvel Stadium.

Alex Pattle5 June 2022 02:08

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in