George Kambosos Jr shook the world of Mixed Martial Arts last year when going in as the underdog he won the the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring magazine lightweight titles against Teofimo Lopez on US soil.
On Thursday afternoon, America’s Devin Haney was received warmly by Australian fans during the open workout in a freezing cold Federation Square in Melbourne but the support awaiting George Kambosos Jr from the members of the Greek Community was unparalleled.
Among them, the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis OAM.
Amidst Australian and Greek flags the Greek Australian champion followed while his fan-club draped him in both flags.
“Born ready”, Kambosos Jr said as he shadow boxed for the cameras.
Interestingly, the Spartan goes in as the underdog again, while the betting market experts place their hope on new and rising star Devin Haney.
The Spartan has stayed true to his core beliefs, often tattooed across his body. On his chest, it says “Dream Without Fear”.
In the same spirit, he posted “I Tan I Epi Tas”, on his Twitter feed as predictions see him lose the title.
MELBOURNE’S GREEK COMMUNITY UNITES IN SUPPORT OF THE SPARTAN WORLD CHAMPION
Among the dozens of Greek fans that gathered up to show support and express their love for George Kambosos Jr at the official press conference and public training session at Federation Square on Thursday were dancers from Manasis School of Greek Dance and Culture.
Prior to the main attraction attendees were treated to a traditional Greek dance performance, of the Tsamikos, making it the first time traditional Greek dancing has been featured inside a boxing ring.
“With George’s ancestry hailing from Sparta, we felt that Tsamikos was the most appropriate way to honour his legacy and his tremendous efforts in the sport where he continuously acknowledges and honours his dual Australian and Greek heritage,” said founder and director of the school Dimosthenis Manasis.
Afterwards, an all-in Zorba, saw hundreds of people all join in for a quick mini-glendi in the forecourt. Boxers, trainers, managers, promoters, guests and even security guards all joined in with the Manasis dancers.
Kambosos Jr and his training entourage were then welcomed into the forecourt of Federation Square through an honorary guard complete with a range of Greek and Australian flags.
Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper wrote about the unprecedented Hellenic wave of fans in support of Kambosos Jr.
“The biggest Greek community outside Greece will cheer its newest favourite sporting hero as the Sydney-born son of Hellenic grandparents takes on US star Devin Haney at Marvel Stadium,” the newspaper wrote on Friday.
“I’m truly humbled by my heritage being behind me and my country being behind me,” Kambosos Jr told the Herald Sun.
“It’s an amazing feeling and it’s just so motivating knowing that they are in my corner. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to get my victory.”
“It’s a beautiful feeling knowing that I can bring this back here to Melbourne, to Australia. It’s the biggest boxing fight ever, unbelievable sporting event but business is not done yet. Sunday – that is when it counts so I’m excited,” he enthused.
THE WAR OF WORDS FIRES UP
Kambosos Jr and faced off on screen for Fox Sports at Marvel Stadium ahead of the highly-anticipated lightweight championship unification fight on Sunday expected to draw 50,000 fans.
Haney accused Kambosos Jr, of making money in sparring training to assist players that were going to fight Australians.
“If I’m a rat, weren’t you sparring (Manny) Pacquiao for [his fight against Australian] Jeff Horn? That’s different? You say I went against my own countryman, but you went against your own countryman,” Haney said.
Kambosos explained the difference between what he did and what Haney did in the lead-up to Kambosos’ fight with Lopez.
“You were personally messaging me on Twitter saying, ‘Hey, look where he (Lopez) is’,” Kambosos said.
“Jeff Horn knew exactly what I was doing, I was sparring Manny Pacquaio. You’re going behind (Lopez’s back). Lopez has got no idea what’s happened. Wait ’til he finds out, you watch, when Lopez finds out now what’s happened, he’s going to be on your arse in Vegas, I tell ya. He’s going to be looking for you. That’s a rat, that’s an informer, that’s a snitch, that is the lowest of the low. I’d never go against my countryman and go behind their back and say, ‘Hey, his wife, they’re having problems. Oh, he’s at the hooker lounge, look at this’. Come on, man,” he said.
“Of course, I’m going to accept it (the intel). When I’m fighting him (Lopez), I’m doing battle with him, the art of war – deception. But I already had it planted, it was already there because I knew I was going to fight you (Haney) next. Jeff’s my mate, he’s going to be here, he’s going to be ringside when I kick your arse, cheering me on,” Kambosos said.
“I’m so scared. I’m so scared. I’m shaking. I’m shaking,” WBC lightweight champion Haney said laughingly, stressing that the majority experts favourite him already. He insists that he will be the undisputed winner of all lightweight titles following Sunday’s match and that he “will hurt Kambosos Jr”.
KAMBOSOS JR PLACED AS THE UNDERDOG IN HIS OWN COURT, AGAIN
International boxing reviews and betting platforms are by far and large favouring Devin Haney for the fight, predicting the 23-year-old will become the new undisputed lightweight champion.
However, speaking to 9News, legendary trainer Teddy Atlas disagrees with unified lightweight champion George Kambosos’ underdog status for his first title defence against the American.
“It’s virtually unheard of for a champion to be ranked as an outsider in a title defence, especially at home, which goes to show how Haney is viewed by the US sports market in general.”
“I refuse to buy into the way the bookies see the fight, saying Haney’s ‘pretty’ style has most people fooled,” Atlas said, highlighting that the 23-year-old will have to fight Kambosos Jr without his father and trainer in his corner due to visa issues with at least 45,000 vocal fans in favour of Kambosos Jr.
Bill Haney will be in the corner as a robot. A machine will be connected to the father and trainer who will be giving orders via speakers and a screen.
On the other hand, the Greek Australian managed a very similar win against Lopez back in November making an entire stadium that was booing him, bow down.
But Atlas is not the only big name in awe of Kambosos Jr.
More mega-fans are expected to jet into Melbourne for the blockbuster event, including US basketball superstar Damian Lillard, tennis wonder boy Nick Kyrgios and Aussie rapper The Kid Laroi.
International stars like boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Jeff Fenech, Danny Green and Anthony Mundine as well as rugby great Sonny Bill Williams and AFL stars Dustin Martin and Bailey Smith are also expected to fly to Australia for their prized spots by the ring.
In terms of the bets, Kambosos Jr himself says that he is not worried. It is known territory for him; he trains hard in the shadows and studies every weakness and delay in his opponents’ tactics, giving it all he has.
“I didn’t come here without believing in my self,” he says. “I didn’t come here without hard work, without sacrifice.”
“I don’t mind being the underdog. I love it,” he says, while his young son, Leonidas, walks with him hand in hand into Marvel Stadium.
“I waited all my life for this moment. To be in Australia and have others come to fight for the title, at my home, my back yard. It’s been a long time coming. Come and get it.”