American Devin Haney made it official — and unanimous — on Sunday. He is the undisputed world light-weight boxing champion.
Haney retained his WBC light-weight title and added three extra from the burden class after his unanimous factors choice over Australian George Kambosos.
The 23-year-old Haney received three of the primary 4 rounds and was effectively forward on the midway level of the 12-round bout to turn out to be undisputed champion within the light-weight division.
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The judges scored the battle 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110 in Haney's favor.
Haney, who proved to be the higher technical fighter earlier than a crowd of 41,129 on the coated Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, now has an undefeated report of 28-0 with 15 KOs.
“I used to be comfy, simply sticking to the sport plan,” Haney mentioned. “The sport plan was to hit and never get hit. I fought sensible battle. He couldn’t hit me with both of his greatest pictures.”
Haney praised the U.S.-based Kambosos, who was preventing for the primary time in his native Australia in 5 years.
“I take my hat off to him, he’s a real warrior. Regardless that he obtained disrespectful, I stayed a gentleman,” Haney mentioned. “A number of these so-called champions wouldn’t give me my shot, however George has.”
Kambosos, 28, held the WBO, WBA, and IBF light-weight titles heading into the battle. These now belong to Haney.
Kambosos' unbeaten professional profession report has ended — he is 20-1 with 10 KOs. Kambosos received all three of his world titles when he beat Teofimo Lopez in 2019.
“It’s superb for the game and the nation,” Kambosos mentioned after handing over his belts to Haney. “I needed to take the toughest check and I'll give him full respect after his victory. Let him have his time.”
Whereas Kambosos landed the heavier blows all through the 12-round contest, Haney peppered the house hope with left jabs to win over the judges.
The fighters barely threw a punch in a watchful opening spherical that Kambosos might have stolen with a late mixture to the American’s physique. Kambosos landed the primary large punch of the battle, a heavy proper to Haney’s head, within the second because the Australian had his challenger retreating.
A extra aggressive Haney took the third spherical with a collection of left jabs and regarded to have additionally shaded the fourth earlier than Kambosos delivered a giant left hook late.
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Kambosos landed one other sturdy, much-needed left within the sixth spherical as Haney’s peppering jab started to point out on the Australian’s face. Haney managed rounds seven and eight, leaving Kambosos to search out one thing to sway the judges.
The Australian took the ninth spherical, however could not penetrate Haney's protection within the remaining rounds.
“I assumed the battle was very shut,” Kambosos mentioned. “He boxed his recreation, he moved. He didn’t need to come to battle an excessive amount of however that’s his recreation."
Kambosos prompt a rematch is perhaps within the playing cards.
“I’m going to alter just a few issues and get him again later this 12 months," Kambosos mentioned. “I take the chance, not many needed to battle him however I gave him a shot. At the moment they gave him the choice however I’m positive that can change after we get it on once more.”
