Undisputed lightweight world champion Devin “The Dream” Haney and former champion George Kambosos Jr. re-exchanged “pleasantries” at the press conference two days shy of their showdown at Rod Laver Arena.
The combatants talked some trash, but it was Haney’s father/trainer, Bill Haney, who stole the show. He presented Kambosos (20-1, 10 KOs) — or at least attempted to — a copy of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” a reference to Kambosos post-weigh-in mind tricks before their first bout back in June. Kambosos was none too pleased and knocked the book off the dais.
Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) dominated Kambosos to unify all the belts at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, and a little more than four months later, the world’s top lightweights will do it again.
Haney-Kambosos 2 will be broadcast live in prime time SATURDAY (taking place Sunday afternoon local time) on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m PT.
Undercard bouts — streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT — include twin brothers Jason & Andrew Moloney in separate contests. Jason Moloney will take on Thailand’s Nawaphon Kaikanha in a final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight world title, while Andrew Moloney battles the Dominican contender Norbelto Jimenez for the vacant WBO International junior bantamweight strap.
In a special world title attraction, Cherneka Johnson (14-1, 6 KOs) will make the first defense of her IBF junior featherweight world title against Australian two-time world champion Susie “Q” Ramadan (29-3, 12 KOs).
At Friday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say.
Devin Haney
“It’s great to be back here in Melbourne. I made history here. And it won’t be no different on the 16th. The name of the game is to hit and not get hit. I’m a student of the game. So, that’s what I follow. I might be one of the best defensive fighters in boxing. But on the 16th, I’ll look to show more offense.”
“They’ve been quiet. But every time they open their mouth, it’s a different excuse. They talk this quiet stuff, but they keep making up excuses. Now it’s the coach. Then it was the referee, because I was holding. Every excuse in the book. But why did you fire your whole team? If you truly felt like I was holding too much, why did you fire your whole team?”
“There are a lot of big fights out there to be made. I’ve been calling out Loma for a while. But my main focus is on getting past George Kambosos. Then we can talk about what’s next.”
George Kambosos Jr.
“I’m physically and mentally focused on this fight right now. Nothing else matters. Whatever was said or whatever was done…I’m zoned in on this moment. Nothing will break my focus. I’m not interested in anything else. I’m interested on Sunday and what I do then.”
“The changes have been made. You learn from your losses. You come back a better fighter. So, I’ve made my changes. I’ve looked at certain things. I’ve gone back to my roots as well. We’re just focused. I’m not going to give anything away. I’m just zoned in. Sunday is when I’ll do my talking. We’ll see who laughs last.”
“He’s got a fantastic jab. But we have put in fantastic work to not only evade his jab, but whatever he tries to bring. It doesn’t matter. Did I let him jab too much? He’s got a great jab. But that’s why boxing is the sweet science.”