UPDATE: Unified world lightweight champion George Kambosos has made weight ahead of his fight with Devin Haney, despite coming in overweight on his first attempt.
The Australian finally weighed in at 134.49 lbs (61.01 kgs), under the 135 lb limit.
The Aussie weighed in 135.36 (61.39kg) pounds 140grams over the 135lbs limit on the first go, and will now move forward and defend his belts.
The undefeated star had two hours to lose the weight after his failed first attempt but appeared an hour later for his final attempt and passed with flying colours.
“Art of war baby deception let them believe this was done,” Kambosos said when asked how the weigh-in drama came about.
“Everything is for a cause. Everything is for a process. Trust me.
Maybe I did it on purpose.”
When Kambosos was asked how he lost weight so quick, the unified champion said:
“I took a piss, simple as that. I chilled out, I was about to have a Greek coffee. I thought nah let me go make the wait then I’m going to have my Greek coffee.
“It changes nothing, it changes his mindset now.”
Haney made weight and came in at 134.92 lbs (61.19kg).
The American taunted his Australian rival after missed first attempt, saying: “He ain’t s—, he ain’t made weight” prompting his entourage to throw shade at Kambosos.
“I knew what I had to do, I made weight, and I’m a true champion,” he said.
“I mean he’s sucked up, he’s dry, I don’t know, it is what it is, we’ve still got to go in there and fight. But I’m a true champion and true champions make weight.”
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Speaking to Main Event, Jeff Fenech labelled the miss as “unprofessional” but said it wouldn’t take long for Kambosos to get under the limit.
“He’ll have a little sauna and a skip, it’s not much weight, he’ll make it,” said Fenech. “For me you always come and check the weight on the official scale.
“He said he checked them at the hotel and they said he was on weight. A little disappointing. It’s common protocol that you go and you check the official scales.
“We’re so professional these days we’ve got access to the official scales prior to the weigh-in, so use them. While it won’t take that long (to make weight), it can play with your head a little bit.”
If he doesn’t make weight, the fight will still go ahead and Kambosos will relinquish the belts. Haney can still become champion if he wins Sunday.
Both camps became heated during the customary face-off earlier, with Kambosos’ father Jim taking exception to the insults being hurled towards his son.
In more good news for Haney, his trainer and father Bill has been approved for a travel visa and is expected to arrive Saturday night AEST for the fight. The family patriarch was initially rejected due to a criminal conviction 30 years ago.
“That meant everything to me,” Haney said.
“Thank you to the Victorian Government for making it happen, thank you to God and I can’t wait for my dad to make it.”
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