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Devin Haney claims undisputed lightweight title with unanimous decision win over George Kambosos Jr

Devin Haney defeated George Kambosos Jr. via unanimous decision (116-112 x 2, 118-110) on Saturday night in front of 41,129 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia to become the undisputed lightweight champion. Haney dominated from the start, utilizing his superior jab and dictating pace. His defense was also superb, keeping Kambosos at bay and not allowing him to close distance. By the middle rounds, Kambosos’ face was swollen and the previously-rowdy Australian crowd was largely quiet.Haney, 23, adds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts while improving to 28-0. Kambosos (20-1) dropped the first bout of his career.I was sticking to the game plan,” Haney said after the win. “The game plan was to hit and not get hit. I did that for a majority of the fight.”Kambosos had a rematch clause in his contract for this matchup, meaning he could exercise his right to an immediate shot at redemption against Haney.

Boxing results, highlights: Devin Haney becomes undisputed champion with decisive win over George Kambosos Jr

Devin Haney was willing to step up and fly to Australia to battle George Kambosos Jr. for the undisputed lightweight championship on Saturday night. That proved to be a very profitable decision for Haney as he dominated Kambosos across 12 rounds to win all four world championships at 135 pounds.Haney becomes just the ninth fighter to unify all four recognized titles in any weight class and the second youngest at just 23.There was very little drama in the bout, with Haney immediately establishing a brilliant jab that kept Kambosos from ever getting his offense going. As the jab landed, Haney fired lead left hooks and straight right hands behind it, each shot discouraging Kambosos from letting go with the right hand he seemed to have loaded up the entire night.In the end, Haney picked up the unanimous decision victory with the official scorecards reading 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110.I handicapped him at his best game,” Haney said after the fight. “He wanted to land the overhand right and the big left hook. I handicapped him. I was fighting both ways. When I would go to the left I would fight his right hand. When I would go to the right, I would fight his hook. He couldn’t land either one of them.Haney, who entered with the WBC championship, was not the man originally set to face Kambosos after Kambosos’ shocking upset win over Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBC franchise championship along with holding the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles. The original plan was for Kambosos to defend against former champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. When Lomachenko pulled out of the bout to remain in his native Ukraine after Russia’s invasion of the country, the opportunity came for Haney to silence critics who claimed his WBC title was illegitimate when he was elevated from interim champion when Lomachenko was named franchise champion by the WBC.After a rocky build to the fight that saw Kambosos frequently use trash talk, Haney’s father arrive the night before the fight and Kambosos miss weight on his first attempt, Haney was calm from the jump, looking every bit a masterful boxer as he completely shut down Kambosos and marked up the Aussie’s face with a steady diet of jabs.Kambosos will have the opportunity for revenge as the fight with Haney included a rematch clause that also stated Haney would have to return to Australia should he win the first go-round.Kambosos made it clear that he did have every intention of activating that clause when speaking after the fight.I’m going to give him full respect, let him have his time and we’ll do it again,” Kambosos said. “I thought the fight was very close but I’m not going to wreck his momentLucas Browne, 43, delivered a stunning result with a first-round TKO of heavyweight fringe contender Junior Fa.Browne, a native of Australia, sent Fa crashing to the mat with an overhand right on the ear, then finished off Fa with another single right hand to the head.Browne (31-3, 27 KOs) had the biggest win of his career in 2016 when he scored a 10th-round TKO of a faded version of Ruslan Chagaev, but lost three fights inside the distance since then, including a first-round TKO last year to journeyman Paul Gallen.Fa (19-2, 10 KOs), a 32-year-old from New Zealand, was competing for the first time since he dropped a decision to former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker in February 2021Australian boxer George Kambosos Jr has relinquished his three world title belts with a unanimous defeat to American Devin Haney in their lightweight blockbuster in Melbourne.Haney inflicted on Kambosos the first loss of his 21-fight career at Marvel Stadium on Sunday to add the WBA, WBO and IBF titles to the WBC strap he already held.The 23-year-old joins an exclusive club of seven fighters, including legends Bernard Hopkins, Terence Crawford and Tim Tszyu’s looming opponent Jermell Charlo, to unify a division in the 18-year four-belt era.Two of the judges awarded the bout 116-112 to Haney, with the third giving it 118-110 to The Dream from Las Vegas.he new undisputed lightweight champion extended his unbeaten record to 28 wins with a pure display of boxing in the biggest fight ever on Australian shores.It’s amazing for the sport and the country,” Kambosos said after graciously handing over his belts to thevictor. “I wanted to take the hardest test and I will give him full respect after his victory. Let him have his time.While Kambosos landed the heavier blows throughout the 12-round contest, Haney peppered the home hope with left jabs to win over the judges.I thought the fight was very close,” Kambosos said. “He boxed his game, he moved. He didn’t want to come to fight too much but that’s his game.I’m going to change a few things and get him back later this year. I take the risk, not many wanted to fight him but I gave him a shot and I’m sure we will do it again.”The two combatants barely threw a punch in a watchful opening round that Kambosos may have stolen with a late combination to the American’s body.Kambosos landed the first big punch of the fight, a heavy right to Haney’s head, in the second as the Australian had his challenger retreating.A more aggressive Haney took the third round with a series of left jabs and looked to have also shaded the fourth before Kambosos delivered a big left hook late.Kambosos landed another strong, much-needed left in the sixth round as Haney’s peppering jab began to show on the Australian’s face.Haney controlled rounds seven and eight, leaving Kambosos to find something to sway the judges.He did so, the Greek-Australian spartan warrior landing three big rights to take the ninth round as the home crowd of almost 50,000 fans willed their local hero to dig deep.He had a smart game plan; he grabbed and held a lot but he did what he had to do to win and that’s what it’s about,” Kambosos said. “Today they gave him the decision but I’m sure that will change when we get it on agas you’re joining us today from India, we have a small favour to ask. Tens of millions have placed their trust in the Guardian’s fearless journalism since we started publishing 200 years ago, turning to us in moments of crisis, uncertainty, solidarity and hope. More than 1.5 million supporters, from 180 countries, now power us financially – keeping us open to all, and fiercely independent.Unlike many others, the Guardian has no shareholders and no billionaire owner. Just the determination and passion to deliver high-impact global reporting, always free from commercial or political influence. Reporting like this is vital for democracy, for fairness and to demand better from the powerful.And we provide all this for free, for everyone to read. We do this because we believe in information equality. Greater numbers of people can keep track of the global events shaping our world, understand their impact on people and communities, and become inspired to take meaningful action. Millions can benefit from open access to quality, truthful news, regardless of their ability to pay for it.The undisputed lightweight championship of the world is at stake.Devin Haney had the odds against him going into Saturday’s undisputed lightweight title fight against George Kambosos Jr. Haney was traveling to Kambosos’ native Australia. He wouldn’t have his entire corner there with him. His father and head trainer, Bill, couldn’t secure a visa until late Thursday and made it just in time to watch his son try to accomplish his dream. And Kambosos spewed trash talk all fight week to get inside Haney’s head.Haney remained mentally strong and let none of it faze him in the slightest bit as he skipped and smiled to the ring at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, amid a chorus of boos in front of 41,129 people. The 23-year-old went in there and showed why he’s one of the best in the world but outboxing and dominating Kambosos from start to finish to win by unanimous decision (118-110, 116-112, 116-112) to become the undisputed lightweight champion. DAZN had it scored 119-109 for Haney. The victory makes Haney the first fighter in the four-belt era to become the undisputed champion at 135 pounds. The last fighter to become the undisputed lightweight champion in any period was Pernell Whittaker in 1990.Devin Haney dared to be great and proved to be even better.The 23-year-old Las Vegas native traveled to the other side of the world to fully unify the lightweight division. Haney delivered a masterclass performance in a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over George Kambosos Jr. Matching scores of 116-112 by judges Zoltan Enyedi and Benoit Roussel were far too close, while Pawel Kardyni had it 118-110 for the unbeaten American in their ESPN-televised main event Saturday evening (Sunday afternoon local time) in front of packed crowd of 41,129 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.With the win, Haney defended the WBC title for the fifth time and won the lineal/WBA/IBF/WBO crown from Kambosos. The moment nearly came without his father and head trainer, Bill Haney who for more than two weeks was not permitted to travel to Australia before an eleventh-hour ruling in his favor allowed the family to be together for this moment.This is a dream come true,” Haney said after the crowning achievement of his career to this point. “I was going through it without my dad being here. This was a big moment for both of us. We both dreamed of it. When we started out, we said we wanted to be the best. It would have hurt me to accomplish this without him.I’m so thankful. Alhamdulillah, Dad, I’m so thankful.”The championship clash itself followed a contentious build-up with plenty of subplots. In addition to Bill Haney’s travel issues, the younger Haney was without cutman “Do It All” Bob Ware, who was stopped by Australia’s Border Force on Friday due to a discrepancy in his visa application.The development occurred roughly 24 hours before Kambosos missed weight on his first attempt during the official weigh-in, though coming back to hit the mark roughly 75 minutes later. The proud lightweight refused to entertain it as an excuse for coming up short on Sunday.It was definitely not a factor,” insisted Kambosos. “[Haney] just boxed and stepped up his game. He moved, he boxed. He didn’t want to mix it up, but that’s his game.”aney worked the jab to start the fight. Kambosos was mindful of the incoming, reserved in his own attack as he sought the right opportunity to uncork his right hand. Haney disallowed it, though Kambosos managed to find counter opportunities. Any swing and miss by Haney was immediately met by Kambosos rushing in to attack.ambosos drew a rise out of the near-capacity crowd early in round two. Haney walked in a straight line, getting clipped with a right hand by the unbeaten local favorite. Haney briefly stutter-stepped but quickly recovered to return to his jab.Haney came out sharp and fast to start round three. Kambosos struggled to get out of the way of Haney’s rapid-fire jab, with the American also connecting with right hands. Haney showed slick infighting skills, connecting with a left hook and then immediately slipping a counter. Kambosos wildly missed with a left hook near the end of the round as Haney fully hit his stride.Momentum remained with Haney, the betting favorite entering the fight and who was in control throughout round four. Kambosos appeared unsettled, getting caught with an overhand right as the two stood center ring midway through the round. A right hand got through for Kambosos late in the frame, which Haney took well.A right uppercut split the guard of Kambosos to begin round five of a championship fight that saw Haney brimming with confidence. Kambosos was lectured by 2020 Trainer of the Year nominee Javiel Centeno in between rounds but unable to turn the tide as Haney was able to keep Kambosos within punching range and then immediately avoid the incoming during nearly every exchange.https://dc808b610626babaeb78c170aef8e363.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlHaney’s stellar defense remained on display early in round six. The Las Vegas-based champ connected with an uppercut to the body, which Kambosos brushed off but without a sufficient response. Kambosos managed a left hook upstairs midway through the round, catching Haney but not followed up with anything to make him pay beyond that point.Referee Hector Afu was active in a fight that barely required his presence, warning Kambosos for pushing down on the back of Haney’s head in round seven. The moments where Kambosos couldn’t tie up his fellow unbeaten titlist saw Haney dazzle the Australian-Greek with hand and foot speed, though more was demanded by his father and head trainer Bill Haney, who was able to get his visa issues cleared in time to take the lead in the corner.The elder Haney called for more feints, to which the son responded in round eight. Haney connected with a classic one-two and then spun out of Kambosos’ punching range before the unified titlist could even let his hands go. Kambosos landed a body shot near the end of the round. Haney brushed it off and pumped a double jab before the bell and grinned in Kambosos’ face as the two went to their respective corners.Both fighters landed right hands to start round nine. Haney was first to the draw, with Kambosos responding seconds later. Haney took a spill to the canvas after a push by Kambosos, accurately ruled as such by the referee. It was effective in allowing Kambosos to close the gap. He didn’t land much when there but was able to rough up Haney who had minor swelling under his right eye.Haney stuck to the basics in round ten. Everything began with the jab, while Kambosos was limited to one punch at a time and not landing very often. An overhand right managed to get through for Kambosos midway through the round, followed up seconds later with a chopping right before wrapping Haney’s right hand in his left arm. Haney landed a left and chopping right before sliding back in the final 30 seconds.Haney pumped his jab to start the twelfth and final round. Kambosos wildly swung and missed with a shot upstairs, his momentum causing him to fall into the ropes. Haney used lateral movement for the duration of the fight, shooting his left hand and covering up with his right anytime Kambosos tried to counter.   The two briefly embraced by fight’s end, a minor peace offering after a contentious fight week. The final scorecards sent the capacity crowd home disappointed, while Haney collected the biggest win of his career the same way his career began—on the road, thousands of miles from home.I was sticking to the gameplan, hitting and not getting hit,” noted Haney of accomplishing the achievement. “I took the last round off because I knew I was comfortably ahead. I fought a good, smart fight.”Haney’s gamble on himself to push for this fight proved well worth the extraordinary effort to arrive at this point. The unbeaten American runs his record to 28-0 (15KOs), forever putting to rest any claims of being an e-mail champ as he becomes—at age 23—the youngest-ever undisputed champion in the four-belt era.He also becomes the first undisputed lightweight champion in any era since the late, great Pernell Whitaker accomplished the feat in 1990. The level of dominance was shown more so in the final, unofficial Compubox statistics than in the actual scorecards. Haney landed 147-of-588 total punches (25%), compared to just 100-of-417 (24%) for Kambosos, whose six-plus month title reign ends without a successful defense. He claimed the lineal/WBA/IBF/WBO belts with a twelve-round, split decision win over Teofimo Lopez Jr. last November 27 in New York City but unable to retain the titles in front of the second-largest crowd in modern Australia boxing history.

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