Soon after the announcement that Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. will defend his title on home soil with a bout against American Devin Haney, the bad-mouthing and mind games between the two rivals began.
Friday’s press conference at Marvel Stadium got off to a gentlemanly start with Kambosos Jr saying he had nothing but respect for the current WBC lightweight titleholder. But Haney soon took offence to the Aussie’s disparaging use of the word “kid” in his direction.
“First off I want to say I’m not a kid, so he can stop calling me a kid. I’m a man and I will show him that in the ring. Respect me as a man,” Haney said via video link.
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“If he doesn’t want to respect me as a man, I’ll gain that respect in the ring.
“He can say he chose me but that is not the truth. He was forced into this fight. He did not want to fight me. Up until today, he did not want to sign a contract. He did not choose me, he was forced into it.”
“You were chosen boy. You were chosen. You were forced into this position,” Kambosos Jr. replied.
“I knew I could beat you. No matter what. I’d fight you in your backyard if I had to because I know that I’m going to beat you. You’ll see,” Haney said.
The fight will take place at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on June 5.