By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella spoke to Peter Maniatis of the KO show about the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney rematch on Sunday (Saturday in the US) at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia, televised on ESPN.
“My second trip (to Melbourne) in four months, said DiBella. “I love this town. What a great city and what a great place to do boxing.
“Let’s be honest. The last (Kambosos-Haney) fight disappointed. Forget about the fact Australia didn’t get to keep the belts and George lost the fight. That happens. It wasn’t a particularly good fight. It wasn’t a pleasing fight. I think George was distracted. I think a lot of it was on George. I don’t think his eye was on the prize.
“I don’t think he was as focused as normally he is. It’s very difficult to return home a big hero and you have all the belts and everyone wants a piece of you. It gets to your head a little bit. George is a guy who has been very focused his whole career. A real spartan warrior mentality. I really believe he’s had that mentality for most of his career.
“The last fight he lost sight of that himself and he didn’t give his best effort the night of the fight. I don’t think George adjusted that night of the fight. I don’t think he sold out or went balls to the wall trying to win. I don’t think he gave everything. It wasn’t a good night. Fighters have an off night. The problem is when a rugby or footballer or baseball player has an off night they have other games and that one performance doesn’t matter very much. In boxing, with one bad night you go from undisputed champion to contender. And that’s what happened to George Kambosos. That’s very humbling.
“I know he is much better prepared for this fight. He is going to do everything in his power to win. If he doesn’t win, I believe he is going to go out on his shield. Whoever is at the Rod Laver Arena is going to see a great fight.”
The last fight was a boxing clinic by Devin Haney. Before the fight I picked Kambosos. But he got schooled.
that was a boring fight
Kambosos won his title against a champion having an off night-kind of like the Jeff Horn of today. Good fighter but not in the same league as Haney.
Look i would like nothing more then to see Kamboso Jr win, but what i like and what’s reality is two different things.
Haney in 12 and a even more formidable schooling by the pillow fisted American Muslim.
Islamophobia at its best lol u Internet thugs like to call someone pillow fisted , please let a club fighter punch you in the face
I saw an interview of Dibella talking about this fight, I doubt he’d ever actually admit it, but he clearly does not believe Kambosos is going to win this fight.
He’s a promoter, what did you expect?
Kambosos is going to get De Ja Vu, no way he can do anything different in this match. Haney just too slick for him, time to move on
It’s only happening because of the money Kambosos is guaranteed.
When Kambossas fought Lee Selby, he looked so ordinary. The Lopez fight was a one off. Haney will box his Socks off, AGAIN. He just isn’t that good. Loma would have stopped him,
Kambosos will do everything to win, except win
probably another tough night for him. doubt this one will be any better
Sure he will!
At this point George has nothing to lose,a headbutt or a haymaker can change the entire fight. Haney has speed that kills but good timing can beat speed. Let’s see what happens.
Don’t know what kind of a haymaker a guy with a 50% KO rate can land but hey
Boxing Match Haney 100% ………. Deep fight 50/50