Random thoughts: Boxing needs more fighters like lightweight champ Kambosos
With Haney headed to Top Rank what's left of Matchroom USA?; takes on Munguia-Jacobs, Tszyu's U.S. debut, Berchelt and Warrington-Martinez II; next for Brook?; much more
Some boxing random thoughts…
Props to unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr., who never wanted to rest of the laurels of having beaten Teofimo Lopez for the belts in their outstanding battle in November. Kambosos is a fighter through and through and wanted a real fight for his first defense in June, not a victory lap. So, he made a deal to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko, an extremely tough fight, obviously.
When Ukraine’s Loma bowed out in order to remain in his country to help defend it against the unprovoked Russian invasion, Kambosos didn’t use it as an excuse to make an easy fight. He opted for outstanding undefeated titleholder Devin Haney for a fight that will produce the undisputed champion. If boxing had many more fighters with the mentality of Kambosos it would be much better off.
Speaking of Haney, who has been working with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn on a fight-by-fight basis and boxing on DAZN, is headed to ESPN for a unification fight for the undisputed lightweight title fight against Kambosos. Win or lose that fight, I am told Top Rank will have obligations to Haney, meaning he is not headed back to Matchroom Boxing after the Kambosos fight. It is not a one-off fight or even a two-fight deal if Haney wins (since he would owe Kambosos a rematch if that’s what Kambosos wants). Haney fits nicely into the Top Rank mix at lightweight and junior welterweight, where the company also promotes undisputed 140 champion Josh Taylor, Jose Ramirez, Lopez, Lomachenko and Jose Zepeda, among others.