PERTH, Australia (Jan. 30, 2024) —A new 135-pound king will be crowned Down Under.
Three-division world champion Vasiliy “Loma” Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) and former unified lightweight world champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) will collide for the vacant IBF lightweight world title on Sunday, May 12, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Lomachenko and Kambosos hosted a virtual press conference Tuesday evening to formally announce their showdown, with Kambosos holding court in Perth and Lomachenko participating via satellite from Los Angeles.
Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, TEG Sport and Duco Events, Lomachenko-Kambosos and two additional world title fights will be broadcast in Australia on Foxtel, Main Event, Kayo, and in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The two additional world title fights will be announced in the coming weeks.
At the press conference, this is what the fighters, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, and Lou DiBella had to say:
Vasiliy Lomachenko
“I’m very happy to come back. I’m very happy to be fighting there. This is the right fight because it’s a chance to be a world champion again. And I’ve never been to Australia. I’ve always wanted to go, and it’s a good opportunity.”
“Right now, my goal is to become a world champion again. After that, I can start thinking about becoming undisputed.”
“Our fight with Devin Haney were two different fights. There were two different styles. If we talk about my fight with Haney, I didn’t lose that fight, in my opinion. If we talk about Haney-Kambosos, Kambosos had two chances and he lost.”
“We only have one world champion in the Ukraine with Oleksandr Usyk. On May 12, we can have two world champions in our country.”
“I respect George Kambosos because he never gives up during a fight. It will be a very interesting fight because we have two different styles, and styles make fights.”
George Kambosos Jr.
“I never step away from a challenge. I always want to fight the best. And Vasiliy Lomachenko is a guy we have looked at for a very long time. This guy is a legend. The respect we have for him is huge. So, to have this official now is extraordinary. I’m very motivated for this fight. I’m very excited, and I can’t wait.”
“This fight rejuvenates my career. This gives me my redemption. Yes, I’ve won the big fights and I’ve lost the big fights. But for me, this fight is about legacy. Two warriors coming together for a big fight. Our careers are on the line here. Legacy is on the line here. And I believe this is my destiny.”
“Yes, I lost to Devin Haney, but you {Lomachenko} had your chance with Teofimo Lopez and you didn’t take your chance. I did.”
“As Lomachenko said, ‘styles make fights.’ Expect an action fight. No stepping back. Two warriors are coming to fight.”
Bob Arum
“Vasiliy Lomachenko was the greatest amateur fighter in the history of boxing. He had 397 amateur fights and lost only one. As a professional, he’s won world titles from 126 to 135. He is one of the greatest masters of the sport of boxing. George Kambosos is a fighter who always is in the fight giving his all and putting on splendid performances. The people in Perth, Australia, and the people around the world are in for a really big treat when these two great fighters meet in the ring.”
Lou DiBella
“Lomachenko is an all-time great. He’s already earned entrance into the Hall of Fame. Kambosos is a former world champion who’s knocked off one of the best fighters in the world in Teofimo Lopez. He’s only lost twice to the same man, who’s one of the best fighters in the world in Devin Haney. And now he’s bringing a legend to Perth. It’s a great fight. It’s a great event.”
