The world title unification fight between George Kambosos Jr. and American Devin Haney will take place on Sunday after the Australian dramatically gained weight in the second half of the question.
In chaotic and explosive scenes at the Margaret Court Arena, Kambosos initially lost the £ 135 limit for light overproduction, reaching the balance at £ 135.36.
But he returned 70 minutes later after a hot shower and “a pee” at £ 134.46 to keep his dreams of becoming the first boxer in the age of four 18-year-old belts to unify the light weight division. Kambosos then raised his arms in triumph and made a gesture to cut his throat towards the Haney team.
“It simply came to our notice then. Now his mindset is changing. Trust me. Art of war. Deceit, “Cambosos said.” Take it. More than ready. We’re here. [was a mistake]. Everything is for a cause, for a process. Trust me, tomorrow, be there.
Looking to defend his three world title belts and grab Haney’s WBC belt, Kambosos even took off all his clothes while two guards tried to protect him from the cameras with towels, but still exceeded the limit in his first attempt at weighing.
“Maybe I did it on purpose,” Kambosos said before explaining how he did the weight for the second time. “I peed, as simple as that,” he said. “I was relaxing. I was about to have a Greek coffee, but now that I’ve gained weight, I’m going to have a Greek coffee.”
Amidst great drama and torn support for the Sydney lightweight champion who was inspired by a childhood who was harassed for being overweight, former champion Jeff Fenech called the young lady “unprofessional”. However, he said it would not take long for Kambosos to get below the limit.
“He’ll have a little sauna and a jump, he doesn’t have a lot of weight, he’ll get it,” Fenech said for the main event. “For me, you always come to check the weight on the official scale. He said he checked them on at the hotel and said he had weight. A little disappointing. It is a common protocol to go and review the official scales. Although it won’t take long (to gain weight), you can play with your head a bit.
Officials begged fans not to storm the stage when Kambosos emerged for his second weightlifting attempt, with many Greek fans chanting the name of his hero. Haney weighed in at 134.92 pounds and hit Kambosos, tweeting a clown emoji before calling the Australian a “bitch” and mocking his rival, saying, “He’s sucked, he’s dry, I don’t know, that’s what It’s us. I still have to go in there and fight. “
“I told him I was not a true champion because true champions carry weight. They don’t have to take several times to gain weight, “Haney told FightTV.” We trained for six to eight weeks to be ready to gain weight on our first outing, so I told him he’s not a true champion. who is a bitch.
“He’s crazy about it. He’s upset because he hasn’t put on weight, so he’s trying to do anything to lose weight. At the end of the day, we’re going to fight tomorrow whether it’s heavy or not.”
George Kambosos (left) and Devin Haney face off after a weigh-in in Melbourne. Photography: William West / AFP / Getty Images
When the fighters last clashed, Kambosos’ father, Jim, almost physically clashed with members of Haney’s entourage. It was Jim who took 12-year-old George to the Rockdale Police Youth Citizens Club to lose weight. Kambosos rose rapidly afterwards, becoming a professional at the age of 18, winning the NSW title in his third fight and the Australian belt in his sixth.
Despite the weight traps, it is understood that the unification fight would still have advanced to the Marvel Stadium, even if Kambosos had not done the weight. However, the Sydney slugger would have been stripped of his belts regardless of the outcome.
Meanwhile, Haney’s coaching father, Bill, has been granted a visa and will travel from Las Vegas to Melbourne for the fight. Bill Haney was originally denied a visa due to a 30-year drug conviction with the boxer forced to call Yoel Judah, Zab’s father, as coach.