Devin Haney heard just about enough of what George Kambosos Jr. had to say about their upcoming showdown.
The pair of unbeaten lightweights managed to get under each other’s skin during a press conference to formally announce their undisputed championship showdown, which will take place June 5 (June 4 in the U.S.) live on ESPN from Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Kambosos will make the first defense of his lineal/WBA/IBF/WBO crown versus Haney, who will travel halfway around the world with his WBC belt in tow and with the intention of bringing home all the hardware.
“George can talk all the sh!t that he wants,” Haney said after Thursday’s presser. “He won’t be ready,”
The fight came to surface only after former three-division titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko (16-2, 11KOs) was forced to withdraw from a previously agreed-upon clash with Sydney’s Kambosos (20-0, 10KOs) due to his commitment to the Ukraine military in defense of the ongoing Russian invasion. Haney (27-0, 15KOs) expressed his willingness the entire time, stepping up once the fight was offered as he enters the fifth defense of his WBC title.
The Las Vegas-based lightweight agreed to all terms, including his entering a multi-fight co-promotional deal with Top Rank and DiBella Entertainment. The deal also stipulates that a rematch would also take place in Australia, potentially leaving Haney on the road for his entire 2022 campaign. Given the terms he accepted, it’s understandable why the unbeaten 23-year-old would take exception to the claim that Kambosos chose him for his first title defense.
“He was forced into it,” Haney insisted before turning his attention directly to his upcoming rival. “I wasn’t chosen. You didn’t want it.
“I’ll fight you anywhere. Wherever. I’ll fight you in your backyard if I had to because I know I will beat you. June 5, you’ll see.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
