George Kambosos Jr and unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez both made weight in front of a raucous crowd in support of the Aussie in Lopez’s home state of New York, ahead of their world title clash at Madison Square Garden.
Both men have engaged in a war of words in the lead up to the much anticipated match-up, with their fathers also involved in a tense exchange during the week.
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That continued at the weigh-in as each fighter spent nearly a good minute during the stair-off before Lopez was pulled away by security. The Brooklyn native, then returned to the centre of the stage as he and Kambosos both flexed for the cameras before leaving the stage.
The Australian tipped the scales at 134.4 lbs, while the champion weighed in at 135 lbs – right on the limit.
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Kambosos unloaded on 24-year-old Lopez, making light of his struggles to make weight while several Kambosos supporters made plenty of noise.
“We’re living in his head, rent free. We’ve been living in it a very long time,” Kambosos told DAZN.
“He’s a dehydrated little boy. He struggled. How long did it take for him to get here today? He struggled and he’s going to struggle big time tomorrow.
“We are ready for war, no problems on our side, bring it on, we’re taking all his belts. In his hometown, but where’s his people? They ain’t here. My people are here.
“I am so focused. I’ve had that tunnel vision a very long time and I have not put my foot off the pedal.
“I am winning these belts, I’m bringing them back home and it will be massive for Australian boxing and Greek boxing. This is huge and I have my countries behind me.”
Lopez is a raging hot favourite according to the bookies and has won 12 of his 16 fights by knockout. But both men have been inactive this year and haven’t been in the ring since October last year, leaving an air of uncertainty hanging over the bout.
Although, Lopez was quick to dispel any question marks by reminding those in attendance that “gangsters move in silence.”
“F–k him and all his team, I don’t care. At the end of the day, we’re doing what we gotta do,” Lopez said.
“They can do whatever they want but at the end of the day, they can’t defend him in that ring.
“This is my second home. Give it a year or two, I’ll be king of New York, right now I’m the prince,” he added.
“I just want to let everyone know, y’all been sleeping on me, I’m about to wake everybody the f–k up. Tune in early because it’s going to be a quick night.”
When is Kambosos vs. Lopez?
The bout will be held at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York City on Sunday November 28 (AEDT), which is Thanksgiving weekend in the US. The undercards will begin at 9am (AEDT) with the main card starting at 12pm (AEDT).
What time will Kambosos vs. Lopez start in Australia?
Kambosos and Lopez are scheduled to do their ring walks just after 3pm AEDT, with the first bell set to ring around 3:20pm (AEDT).
How to watch Kambosos vs. Lopez in Australia?
The entire card will be broadcast live in Australia through streaming service DAZN.
You’ll need a subscription to the service to view the fight but it costs just $2.99 per month and you can cancel at any time.
Tale of the Tape
George Kambosos Jr
Nationality: Australia
Born: June 14, 1993
Height: 5′ 9.5″
Reach: 68″
Total Fights: 19
Record: 19-0 (10 KOs)
Teofimo Lopez
Nationality: American
Date of Birth: July 30, 1997
Height: 5′ 8″
Reach: 68.5″
Total Fights: 16
Record: 16-0 (12 KOs)
Odds
(At time of writing)
Teofimo Lopez to win $1.11
George Kambosos Jr to win $6.00
Lopez win via KO/TKO $1.45
win via points/decision $4.00
Kambosos Jr win via TKO/KO $10
win via points/decision $9.50
(Courtesy of Sportsbet)
What is the full fight card?
Subject to change
Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr.; For Lopez’s IBF, WBO, WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
Azinga Fuzile vs. Kenichi Ogawa; For the vacant IBF world super featherweight title
Raymond Ford vs. Felix Caraballo; Featherweight
Andreas Katzourakis vs. Wendy Toussaint; Middleweight
Zhilei Zhang vs. Bernardo Marquez; Heavyweight
Ramala Ali vs. Isela Vera; Super bantamweight
Christina Cruz vs. Marygreen Vellinga Hinz; Flyweight
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