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George Kambosos Jr. facts for kids

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George Kambosos Jr.
Statistics
Nickname(s)
  • Ferocious
  • The Emperor
Rated at
Height 1.80 m
Reach 187 cm
Born (1993-06-14) 14 June 1993 (age 32)
Sydney, Australia
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 26
Wins 22
Wins by KO 10
Losses 4
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Arafura Games
Bronze 2011 Darwin Lightweight
Australian National Championships
Silver 2009 Canberra Featherweight
Silver 2011 Melbourne Lightweight
Bronze 2012 Hobart Lightweight

George Kambosos Jr. (born 14 June 1993) is a professional boxer from Australia. He was the world champion in the lightweight division from 2021 to 2022. During that time, he held titles from several major boxing organizations. He also held the IBO lightweight title from 2022 to 2023.

Early Life and Boxing Start

George Kambosos Jr. was born in Sydney, Australia. His family came from Sparta, Laconia, in Greece. George has a tattoo that says "Never retreat, never surrender." This is a famous saying from the ancient Spartan army.

When he was young, George played junior rugby league. He was sometimes picked on for being overweight. To help him get fit, his father signed him up for boxing classes when he was 11 years old.

George quickly lost the extra weight. He became very good at boxing. As a teenager, he had to choose between rugby and boxing. He decided to focus on boxing. Before becoming a professional, he won 85 out of 100 amateur fights.

Professional Boxing Journey

Starting His Career

George Kambosos Jr. had his first professional boxing match in May 2013. He was 19 years old. He won this fight by a technical knockout in the second round.

In December 2016, he won the WBA Oceania title. He beat Brandon Ogilvie, who was ranked ninth in the world. In May 2017, he won against Qamil Balla by a unanimous decision. This means all the judges agreed he won.

Five months later, he won two more titles. He knocked out Krai Setthaphon in the ninth round. This earned him the WBA Oceania and IBF Pan Pacific lightweight titles.

Training with Manny Pacquiao

In June 2017, George was chosen to be a main sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao. Sparring partners help boxers train by fighting them in practice. George helped Pacquiao get ready for his big fights. He continued to be Pacquiao's main sparring partner for several years.

In April 2018, George signed a contract with DiBella Entertainment. This helped him get more fights. In May 2018, he fought in the US for the first time. He knocked out Jose Forero very quickly, in less than two minutes.

In January 2019, George won another fight in Las Vegas. He beat Rey Perez by unanimous decision. In June 2019, he fought in Greece, his family's home country. He knocked out Richard Pena in the sixth round.

Moving Up in the Ranks

Kambosos vs. Bey

On 14 December 2019, George faced a tough opponent, Mickey Bey. Bey was a former IBF lightweight champion. George won the fight by a split decision. This means some judges thought he won, and others thought Bey won, but most picked George.

Kambosos vs. Selby

On 31 October 2020, George fought Lee Selby in London. Selby was a former world champion. George won this fight by split decision as well. This victory made George the official challenger for the IBF lightweight title.

Becoming a Unified Lightweight Champion

Kambosos vs. López

On 9 January 2021, George was ordered to fight Teofimo Lopez. Lopez was the undefeated unified lightweight champion. Being a "unified champion" means he held titles from different major boxing organizations at the same time. George was the "mandatory challenger," meaning he had earned the right to fight for the title.

The fight happened on 27 November 2021, in New York City. Both fighters knocked each other down during the match. In the end, George Kambosos Jr. won by split decision. He became the new unified lightweight world champion. He won the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles.

Kambosos vs. Haney

On 5 June 2022, George Kambosos Jr. fought Devin Haney in Melbourne, Australia. The winner would become the first undisputed lightweight champion of the four-belt era. This means they would hold all four major world titles.

Before the fight, George had a small issue with his weight. He was slightly over the limit on his first try. But he made the correct weight on his second try. George lost the fight to Haney by a unanimous decision. This meant Haney became the undisputed champion.

The fight deal included a rematch clause. This meant George could ask for a second fight. He decided to use this option.

Kambosos vs. Haney II

George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney had their rematch on 16 October 2022. The fight took place in Melbourne, Australia. George lost the rematch by unanimous decision. Haney kept his undisputed lightweight titles.

Lomachenko vs. Kambosos

On 12 May 2024, George fought Vasiliy Lomachenko in Perth, Australia. They were fighting for the vacant IBF lightweight title. Lomachenko won the fight by technical knockout (TKO) in the 11th round. George's corner stopped the fight after he was knocked down twice.

Kambosos vs. Wyllie

George Kambosos Jr. was scheduled to fight Daud Yordan on 22 March 2025. However, Yordan had to pull out of the fight due to medical reasons. Jake Wyllie stepped in to fight George instead. George won this fight by unanimous decision.

Professional Boxing Record

George Kambosos Jr. has had 26 professional boxing matches.

  • He has won 22 fights.
  • 10 of his wins were by knockout.
  • He has lost 4 fights.

Boxing Titles

Major World Titles

  • WBA (Super) lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • IBF lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • WBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)

The Ring Magazine Titles

  • The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Minor World Titles

  • IBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Regional and International Titles

  • WBA Oceania lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • IBF Pan Pacific lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • Australian lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • New South Wales lightweight champion (135 lbs)
  • PABA interim lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Honorary Titles

  • WBC Franchise lightweight champion

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: George Kambosos Jr. para niños

  • List of world lightweight boxing champions
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