The way forward for George Kambosos Jr is up within the air after the Australian suffered a technical knockout loss to Ukrainian Vasiliy Lomachenko of their IBF light-weight world title showdown in Perth.
Lomachenko managed Sunday’s bout in entrance of 14,147 followers from begin to end, with the battle dropped at a halt with 21 seconds remaining within the eleventh spherical after Kambosos suffered a battering within the nook.
Kambosos had hit the deck seconds earlier following a strong hook to the physique.
When the referee resumed the bout, Lomachenko completed the job with a flurry of punches.
Kambosos shot to worldwide fame in 2021 when he received the IBF, WBA and WBO light-weight belts by beautiful Teofimo Lopez at Madison Sq. Backyard.
However back-to-back losses to Devin Haney — mixed with final yr’s unconvincing and controversial win over Maxi Hughes — meant Sunday’s battle in opposition to Lomachenko was make or break.
The devastating nature of the defeat raises questions on what the long run holds for the 30-year-old Kambosos.
“This man is among the better of all time,” Kambosos mentioned after the bout.
“We tried our greatest, however he is a great champion. He deserves that belt. I gave it my all.
“I am nonetheless alive, I am nonetheless standing. I ain’t useless.”
There was loads of theatre within the lead-up to the battle, with the pair participating in a three-minute staredown on Thursday and a prolonged reprise at Saturday’s weigh-in.
After a cagey begin to the bout, Lomachenko landed just a few essential head blows after trapping Kambosos within the nook.
Lomachenko landed some extra key punches late within the second spherical, as Kambosos replied with a flurry of punches that didn’t land.
Kambosos obtained a number of extra lusty blows within the third, however he no less than received some again late within the spherical.
The fourth spherical was notably brutal for Kambosos as he wore a collection of highly effective jabs and left hooks from Lomachenko.
Kambosos momentarily rattled Lomachenko within the sixth with a robust jab, however it was a fleeting second in a bout the Ukrainian was controlling.
Lomachenko’s highly effective left hook left Kambosos with blood streaming from close to his proper eye within the eighth spherical. Because the onslaught continued, the Australian was left a bloodied mess by the tip of the ninth.
Whether or not Kambosos might see out the battle was the primary query from that time on, and Lomachenko gave an emphatic reply in a brutal eleventh spherical.
Moloney retires after controversial title bout defeat
Australian Andrew Moloney has introduced his shock retirement after struggling a controversial loss to Mexico’s Pedro Guevara of their WBC interim junior bantamweight world title bout in Perth.
And in one other large controversy on Sunday’s card, England’s Nina Hughes was awarded victory in her ladies’s WBA bantamweight battle in opposition to Australian Cherneka Johnson — just for the end result to be flipped a minute later when organisers realised they’d learn out the scores within the improper order.
Moloney landed way more photographs to the pinnacle in his 12-round bout and celebrated after the ultimate bell.
However the 33-year-old was left in shock when the judges scored the bout 115-113, 115 -113, 113-116 in a break up choice to Guevara that shocked the Moloney camp.
“I felt in whole management. I did what I needed to do in there tonight to get the win,” Moloney mentioned.
“I do not wish to make excuses, however I went into this battle with a torn biceps, so I could not throw the left hook except I wanted to.
“I did not really feel like I wanted to throw it as a result of I used to be in whole management.
“And, look, I simply wish to say thanks to Prime Rank, thanks to my workforce for the whole lot you’ve got achieved for me.
“I wish to thank my sponsors for backing me through the years as a result of I am retired. I am out. I really like you all, however sorry, f*** that.”
Moloney entered the bout determined to get one again for Crew Moloney, following his twin brother Jason’s defeat to Japan’s Yoshiki Takei of their WBO bantamweight title conflict earlier within the week.
He began strongly, touchdown a collection of early heavy blows.
Guevara did properly to assault Moloney’s physique all through the bout, however Moloney appeared to land the extra telling blows to the pinnacle.
Nevertheless it was not sufficient to persuade two of the three judges, with Moloney obtrusive on the judges afterwards to precise his shock.
Guevara mentioned he would give Moloney a rematch if he wished it.
“I would haven’t any downside giving him a rematch,” Guevara mentioned.
Flawed boxer introduced as winner in undercard battle
There was extra controversy within the ladies’s title bout between Hughes and Johnson.
Hughes was initially awarded the win by majority choice, 95-95, 96-94, 98-92.
However, whereas she was celebrating, each boxers had been referred to as again to the center and advised it was truly Johnson who had received, not Hughes.
“It is a joke,” Hughes mentioned.
“I believed I dominated it.”
Promoter Lou DiBella stepped in afterwards to apologise for the mix-up, saying they “screwed up”.
Johnson, who received the IBF super-bantamweight title in 2022 however misplaced the belt to Ellie Scotney final yr, was over the moon to be awarded the win after the mix-up.
“I am simply glad they found out the improper choice,” Johnson mentioned.
The undercard’s heavyweight non-title bout will pit former WBA world champion Lucas Browne (31-5, 27KOs) in opposition to Kiwi Hemi Ahio (21-1, 16KOs).
AAP
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