Some boxing fans are upset because Teofimor Lopez will not commit to a rematch with Vasiliy Lomachenko if he wins his October showdown with George Kambosos Jr. But this is not the case with George Kambosos Jr.
Kambosos wants fans to know his first choice for an opponent if he emerges victorious over Lopez is Lomachenko. Kambosos feels it is dishonorable that Lopez will not rematch Lomachenko now that the former champion is 100% healthy.
Teofimo Lopez has given different reasons to explain his unwillingness to grant Lomachenko a rematch. These reasons include a perceived disrespect from the Lomachenko camp and the lack of benefit in defeating Lomachenko a second time. But Kambosos is sure he knows the real reason Lopez does not want to enter the ring with Vasiliy Lomachenko again.
“Everybody saw what happened in that fight,” Kambosos references the unanimous decision victory Lopez earned in his first fight with Lomachenko. “He knows he came in there with one arm.”
Some observers, including Hall of Famer Andre Ward, feel Lomachenko did enough to earn a draw even though he was not himself against Teofimo Lopez. Lomachenko picked up the pace in the middle rounds after a slow start. Fans believe he dominated the late stages of the fight.
“I’ll fight you next,” George Kambosos Jr. sends a direct message to Lomachenko. “You want a shot at these belts, I’ll give you the shot.”
George Kambosos is an Australian-born fighter with a 19-0 boxing record. He has knocked out ten previous opponents.
Teofimo Lopez is 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Lopez claimed the top spot in the lightweight division with a victory against Lomachenko last October.
Kambosos and Lopez were supposed to fight in July but endured multiple delays. The two will now meet in New York on October 4.
“I am going to beat this undisputed kid,” George Kambosos proclaims. “My time has come, and I am ready to fight.”