The new lightweight boxing champion of the world, George Kambosos was greeted by 200 home fans on his arrival at Sydney Airport from the United States on Thursday, after his against-the-odds victory over Teofimo Lopez on28 November.
The crowd gathered at the airport held up Greek and Australian flags as they welcomed the new world champion with chants of “Georgie, Georgie.” Kambosos acknowledged the fanfare with the WBA, IBF and WBO belts proudly as he was greeted by friends and family and the latest addition, his recently born son, Santiago.
“It feels very good to be home. These belts are not only my belts but the whole of Australia’s belts, the whole of Greece’s belts. My family, my friends, everyone here – these are their belts as well. As much as I had to go do it inside them ropes, my family and my friends and both countries lifted me up, especially in that round 10,” Kambosos told “The Sydney Morning Herald”.
He has said he wanted to bring international boxing fights to Australia with his next likely opponent being Devin Haney, the holder of the WBC title. Defeating Haney would make the Greek-Australian the undisputed champion of the world.
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Kambosos had not fought in Australia since 2017 and before his return home, he hinted strongly on US media that he was hoping his next fights would take place in Sydney or Melbourne. He reportedly told the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast that he was dreaming of fighting in front of 80,000 people at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium where he could make the most of the support from the city’s big Greek population.
The “Sydney Morning Herald” reported that Kambosos’ next fight was likely to be held in April or May next year.
The champion said he welcomed challenges from a host of fighters including Haney, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Haney is the WBC titleholder and beating him would make Kambosos the undisputed world champion.
“We’re bringing the big fights here now,” he said. “I deserve that, I’ve earned that. We’re going to bring them to a massive stadium, 80,000 people. Haney, Davis, Lomachenko, Garcia – they’re all gonna get it.”
His plans for now are to relax with family and friends over the Christmas period although he will return to the gym for training in the coming week. He will also visit the grave of his grandfather who died while he was in training for the title fight against Lopez. His third son, Santiago, was born the day Kambosos’ grandfather passed away.
“Now that I’m home, I can go and see him at the grave site and tell him that I did it. I got them belts. It’s a special moment and in that round 10, he really lifted me up as well. (Then) I’m going to train … because now I’m the one being hunted. They want to come and get what I’ve got, what I’ve had to work so hard for. Come and get it. It won’t be no easy ride.”
