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Why victory over Lomachenko is so essential for Kambosos

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PERTH, Australia – When George Kambosos steps into the ring on Sunday (Saturday, 10 p.m. EST in the U.S., ESPN/ESPN+) to face Ukrainian megastar Vasily Lomachenko, his attention won’t be on winning the vacant IBF title in lightweight who is in front of us grabs. There will also be no mention of the upcoming payday of the monster he calls “the biggest fight in Australian history”. Instead, Kambosos focuses on one thing and one thing only: its heritage.

How he is perceived as a fighter, both now and after he hangs up the gloves, is something Kambosos (21-2, 10 KO) has been focusing his attention on since the megafight with Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KO). officially announced in January. Each media appearance during the preparations gave Kambosos the opportunity to discuss how significant a victory over the two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division champion would be and what impact it would have on his mark on the sport.

“For me, it’s about legacy. Nothing more,” a defiant Kambosos said earlier this year. “He made money, I made money. He won the belts, I won the belts. I’ve been in substantial fights [and] he fought the best. I’ve won substantial fights and lost substantial fights. But this is the legacy here; the fate of both boys. We don’t have to exaggerate or create any stories or headlines. These are two warriors coming together to fight.”

The legacy Kambosos is alluding to and seeking is a place in the coveted International Boxing Hall of Fame, an honor that has so far been bestowed upon only five Australians – Jeff Fenech, Kostya Tszyu, Peter Jackson, Youthful Griffo and Les Darcy.

Kambosos and his camp are convinced that a victory over the great Lomachenko, even though he is 36 years aged and in the twilight of his career, will strengthen his resume to such an extent that his entry into the ultra-exclusive fight club will become undeniable.

“This fight cements me in the Hall of Fame, I truly believe in it. They can’t deny it,” Kambosos said. “What I’ve achieved, the fighters I’ve been able to fight, the events I’ve been able to bring to Australia… how can they deny Kambosos’s resume?”

The problem with legacy is that it doesn’t just trend in a positive direction. And while Kambosos will rightfully throw flowers at his feet if he manages to upset Lomachenko, a loss will only reinforce the narrative of one great fight that many have formed over the past 24 months, which have been rather disappointing.

Kambosos rose to fame in November 2021 when he caused not only ESPN’s 2021 Upset of the Year, but also one of the biggest boxing upsets of the 21st century. The unheralded Sydneysider traveled to Fresh York and handed unified American star Teofimo Lopez his first – and still only – defeat by split decision. It was the fight that earned Kambosos the spoils of the lightweight championship belts and launched his international boxing career.

But two and a half years later, that night begins to seem more anomalous than usual.

Kambosos lost his belts six months later after a one-sided 116-112, 116-112, 118-110 loss to Devin Haney in Melbourne. His rematch with the undefeated American four months later was even more lopsided, with Haney once again humiliating the former champion in his home country 119-109, 118-110, 118-110.

Kambosos was scheduled to return to the ring in mid-2023 when he faced Maxim Hughes, and the fight ended in a highly controversial manner. The Englishman put in the best performance of his career, passing Kambosos and leaving him bloody and bruised, but it was the Australian who nodded 114-114, 117-111, 115-113 as a chorus of boos rang out around the Firelake Arena in Oklahoma.

Controversy aside, the victory breathed life into Kambosos’ career. Attention Lomachenko.

Kambosos and Lomachenko, the former longtime unified lightweight champion, were scheduled to fight for the undisputed honors of the Australian summer of 2022. However, those plans were thwarted when Lomachenko opted to return to his family during the war in Ukraine, opening the door for the fight for Haney to step in and fight Kambosos. Although the fight between Lomachenko and Kambosos did not materialize, it remained on boxing’s radar and was eventually considered the main act of a blockbuster bill in the Australian city of Perth.

The biographies of Kambosos and Lomachenko may be completely different, but both players have one thing in common: defeats against Haney. But unlike Kambosos, who was completely outclassed twice, many felt Lomachenko had done enough to earn the judges’ approval when he fought Haney last May. This was the last we saw of Lomachenko in the ring and it was a performance that certainly showed he still had a lot left in the tank.

For that reason, and with the increasing likelihood of a Lomachenko-Shakur Stevenson mega-fight if the Ukrainian is able to make the salute, Kambosos has been listed as a 7-1 underdog by oddsmakers for Sunday’s fight, per ESPN BET. And as was the case when Kambosos fought Lopez at Madison Square Garden in 2021, few would argue the Australian can pull off an upset. But it doesn’t bother him. In fact, Kambosos is enjoying his underdog status and plans to withdraw his highly credible opponent.

“Once I beat Lomachenko, there will be no way for him to go,” Kambosos said at an official press conference in Perth on Thursday afternoon, during which both fighters stared down for three minutes. “It’s retirement for him, I really believe that.

“The way I spar, the way I fire up every engine. The speed I have… he’s never seen that kind of speed and explosive power. The will, the heart that I have, the desire to win it I want it very badly. I prepared extremely demanding for this fight.

Kambosos knows perfectly well that a high-profile fight with Lomachenko gives him a chance to regenerate his boxing career and regain his position as one of the top fighters in the division. However, a third loss in four fights would be a hammer blow to his career, one that would send him tumbling down the lightweight rankings and almost certainly banish him from future world title fights.

“[After this fight] only one of us will continue his career,” Kambosos said. “One of us won’t go where we want. So I’m very motivated. I know he’s motivated.”

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“Mike Tyson knocking out Jake Paul is an ‘all-time backfire’

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Mike Tyson scuffles with Jake Paul

Mike Tyson may not win at all even if he knocks out Jake Paul on Friday.

Tyson is approaching a comeback fight that many believe will not end with anyone winning.

Tyson was told that winning at the age of 58 in boxing was an empty joke. Tyson can’t really win either way if he crushes Paul or gets knocked out himself.

The former UFC star turned analyst weighed in on the Tyson debate as Daniel Cormier offered his views on the controversial fight.

Tyson will wear his professional gloves on November 15, nineteen years and more since his last appearance. Despite “Iron” Mike losing his previous two contests by knockout, YouTuber Paul sees Tyson as a cash opportunity to gain some recognition.

However, Cormier joins many voices who believe that both men have no chance of winning this fight. The only advantage of the entire Netflix event is money, which is no reason to create such an antagonist, since both men are already millionaires.

On his “Funky and the Champ” show, Cormier discussed Tyson’s smokescreen training videos, saying, “I understand that [he looks good at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels great].

“I agree when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro. It looks like there’s still something left there. But then I see Jake Paul fighting Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t operate the backup tank to stay and compete with this juvenile kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

“What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over,” Cormier added. “Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like this has ever happened in the history of sports.”

Paul has eight two-minute rounds to get the job done, while the consensus is that Tyson only has 30 seconds before he’s blowing tough and having difficulty keeping up.

The only comparison fight fans have made to the Paul vs. Tyson fight is when Evander Holyfield returned to action at the same age as Tyson in 2021. Facing Vitor Belfort, who was twenty years older than Paul at the time, Holyfield lasted only 109 seconds.

Mike is in deep crisis and must get out of the fight or destroy his opponent to gain any recognition. Senior Tyson would have beaten that opponent in a matter of seconds. Therefore, he must prove that money is not the only thing that counts.

In a recent workout, Tyson’s muscle mass remains off the charts for a man his age. The only problems will be its resistance to attacks and movement. If Mike can’t move around the ring, he’ll be chosen at his discretion by a guy three decades younger, with a much more significant engine.

Paul clearly doesn’t have skills comparable to Tyson. However, Mike has shown on numerous occasions, even in his thirties, that he is prone to impoverished performances and falling out of the game.

An audience of millions will watch to decide his ultimate legacy.

If Paul knocks Tyson out, it will be a disaster.

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Ardreal Holmes Jr. is the leader of Large Time Boxing on December 12 in Flint, Michigan

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Ardeal Holmes Dec 12

Salita Promotions returns to Flint, Michigan on Thursday, December 12 with another edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA, the leading talent development series in the sport, featuring a fight card packed with some of boxing’s top prospects, including Michigan Jr.’s Ardreal “Bossman” Holmes. , Joey Spencer, Da’Velle “Hitman 2.0” Smith and Leon Lawson III.

This will be the sixth BIG TIME BOXING USA card since the series premiered in February, and it is without a doubt the series’ strongest lineup yet, from top to bottom. All the action takes place at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, and the top four fights are broadcast live on DAZN, the undisputed home of boxing worldwide. Tickets for the event go on sale Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST and can be purchased online HERE or in person at the Dort Financial Center box office.

After successfully defending his USBA junior middleweight title in September, Flint native Holmes (16-0, 6 KO) returns to his hometown to once again put his title on the line in the main event against an experienced challenger, French veteran Ahmed El Mousaoui ( 35-6-1, 9 KOs).

Fan favorite Spencer (18-1, 11 KO), from nearby Fenton, Michigan, will fight in a 10-round 160-pound fight. Spencer has bounced back with two wins since his lone loss to undefeated, highly-rated Jesus Ramos in March 2023.

Spencer will fight as a professional for the second time in his home state of Michigan. “Fighting in front of fans and friends from all over the state was the best experience,” Spencer said. “I grew up fighting alongside Ardreal Holmes and Leon Lawson – training and traveling to tournaments together and even sparring with each other as we grew into the same weight class.

“Large Time Boxing is a very cold series and Dmitriy Salita does a lot for boxing in Michigan. I can’t wait for December 12th and I’ll be ready to put on a show.

“My team and I are proud to announce the strongest BIG TIME BOXING USA fight card to date,” Salita said. “Since the series launched in February, we have been building and evolving it to become the premier talent development platform for newborn fighters, and this fight card is the best yet. Thank you to DAZN for providing a global platform for these fighters to shine and earn a shot at a world title. We would also like to thank Flint fans for supporting their hometown heroes and the entire sport of boxing. We had a great performance at the Dort Financial Center in September and this fight card is even more packed with incredible talent.”

Smith, touted as Detroit’s best undefeated middleweight prospect since Tommy Hearns, scored an impressive victory over Gilberto Pereira dos Santos last month in Puerto Rico. Smith has a record of 10-0 and 8 knockouts, and his momentum will be even greater when he returns to the ring against William Townsel (8-1, 6 KO) from Virginia Beach. This matchup represents the first major test for Smith, who is considered the second coming of the legendary Hearns due to his combination of speed, power and physique. Townsel previously upset Nadim Salloum, who had a 12-1 record heading into the fight, during the March edition of BIG TIME BOXING USA.

Flint native Lawson (16-1, 9 KO), cousin of Anthony and Andre Dirrell, returns after an impressive performance in September when he dominated Argentine Luis Alberto Veron and scored his second straight TKO. Lawson’s super welterweight opponent will not be announced. Additionally, former world title contender Byron Rojas (28-4-3, 11 KO) will fight on the fight card.

Rising star Samantha Worthington (9-0, 7 KO) of Lexington, Kentucky, will compete for the third time in 2024, defending her undefeated record in women’s super lightweight fighting. Worthington is ranked No. 2 by the IBF, No. 4 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBC and WBA at 140 pounds. Worthington is promoted by “GWOAT,” unified women’s world champion and Flint native Claressa Shields and T-Rex Promotions. Shields and Worthington were members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.

Shields added that Worthington is a player that Flint fans won’t want to miss. “Samantha will showcase the relentless work ethic and tremendous skill that first caught my eye and has seen her rise through the ranks,” Shields said. “Samantha is well on her way to challenging the top competitors in the sport, with future world title fights against the likes of Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano well within her reach. Michigan fans, get ready to watch a rising women’s boxing star in your own backyard.

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Deontay Wilder returns, inspired by the work of Sylvester Stallone

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Deontay Wilder quote Sylvester Stallone

Deontay Wilder revealed his intentions to fight again in an address to his supporters, inspired by a quote from Rocky star Sylvester Stallone.

The “Brown Bomber” tries to leave behind two devastating defeats and the decline of personal relationships, starting a comeback with a novel attitude. Wilder has sought professional support for his mentality and intends to return to the ring to give himself one last chance.

In a video post on Instagram, Wilder said: “Listen, everyone is going to have an opinion about you, but those opinions don’t matter. Life will hit you and knock you down. It’s a mindset to keep moving forward.

“I experienced failures long before boxing. I faced challenges long before I stepped into the ring. I was punched and knocked down long before I even put on boxing gloves. I’m still here because my attitude is to get up and keep going…

“So over the last few months I have been building the protocol with mentality [strength]. I always say that we all have greatness within us, but greatness is only defined in service, so I wake up every day trying to serve. To teach other men how to move forward and support other men improve their mindset because mental health is my primary mission.

“The next critical mission is to get in the ring and do what I was supposed to do,” Wilder added.

Responding to those who believe his career is over, Wilder stated: “If any of you have negative opinions, look at your mindset and step back from that negative bull****. How about this?

“To all my fans and supporters and those who have never left me, I love you all very much and thank you very much. Because no matter how many losses and how many challenges, no matter how many times life hits you and knocks you down, you better get up and keep going. That is the power of thinking.”

Wilder was inspired by Rocky’s original quote from the movie “Rocky Balboa.”

Stallone’s quote reads: “Let me tell you something you already know. The world is not all sunshine and rainbows. This is a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are. It will bring you to your knees and keep you there forever if you let it.

“You, me or no one will hit as tough as life. But it’s not about how tough you hit. It’s about how tough you can get hit and keep going.

“As much as you can take and keep going. That’s how you win!”

Whether Deontay Wilder can win again will depend on his choice of opponent.

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