By: Sean Crose
it wasn’t all that way back when George Kambos defeated Teofimo Lopez through stunning upset to change into a light-weight titlist. Lopez in spite of everything was recent off of successful in opposition to the good Vasyl lomachenko. When Kambosos dropped Lopez within the first the boxing world was immediately shook. The truth that Lopez was unable to come back again and win in opposition to underdog Kambosos was proof that there was a brand new light-weight king. Kambosos that night time confirmed that he might cling with even the toughest hitters and field magnificently on the similar time. Once more, it was actually a shocking underdog efficiency.
Sadly for Kambosos issues haven’t gone that nicely since then. Within the following years he misplaced twice to chess grasp Devin Haley and likewise misplaced to Lomachenko. Whereas he got here again this previous winter to defeat Jake Willey, Kambosos may have lots driving on the road tomorrow night time when he faces Richardson Hitchens at Madison Sq. Backyard for the IBF world light-weight title. Defending champion Hitchens is each youthful than Kambosos and undefeated as nicely. This can be a battle between abilities, youthful confidence, and expertise…hard-earned expense. Kamboso’s has had a whole lot of expertise in his profession. Will that be sufficient to halt the rising Hitchens in his tracks, although?
Issues have already gotten tense. Kambosos took the chance to slap Hitchens throughout the weigh-in on Thursday . Maybe his nerves obtained the higher off him. Or maybe he was merely displaying unhealthy conduct. Individuals aren’t allowed to slap different folks on the road in spite of everything. They shouldn’t have the ability to do it in entrance of the press. With that being mentioned, it’s arduous to think about Kambosos’ profession being something however stagnant if he loses. This actually is, arguably no less than, a make or break struggle for Kambosos. Hitchens has the lot driving on this struggle himself after all, however dropping to a former world titleist with a number of expertise isn’t the identical as being a former world titleist who’s defeated by a rising star. That unhappy story has been advised too many instances to rely.
It’s a good distance from Kambosos native Australia to New York Metropolis. Little doubt, he’s hoping the journey is value it. There are a lot of, if not most, who doubt he can beat Hitchens. The identical factor was mentioned nevertheless, earlier than he confronted the spectacular Lopez. And everyone knows how that turned out. Can historical past repeat itself? Or is Kambosos going the way in which of so many former titlists earlier than him?
