Australia’s George Kambosos Jr has stunned the boxing world by ending Teofimo Lopez‘s unbeaten run with a split decision win in New York.
Despite coming into the fight as a rank underdog, the Sydneysider dropped Lopez in the first round, setting the stage for what would be a phenomenal performance.
While Lopez hit back in the 10th round with his own knockdown of the Australian, the 28-year-old from Down Under had done enough to secure the win.
READ MORE: Kambosos’ stunning upset win over Lopez as it happened
Two of the judges awarded the fight 115-111 and 115-112 to Kambosos, while Lopez got one 114-113 call to go his way, making the Aussie the undisputed lightweight world champion.
The win improved Kambosos’ career record to 20-0, with Lopez the second American to succumb to the Aussie after Mickey Bey in 2019.
Kambosos was a $6 underdog to win the fight outright and $9.50 to win it via points/decision.
There was widespread praise from the boxing world for Kambosos after his outrageous performance, including from former world champion Manny Pacquiao.
“Congratulations to my friend, @georgekambosos, on an epic win!” Pacquiao tweeted.
“You helped me in so many of my past fights, I hope our hundreds of rounds of sparring helped you in some way tonight. I’m proud of you.”
https://twitter.com/MannyPacquiao/status/1464818990690172931https://twitter.com/dannyseguratv/status/1464819583102197764https://twitter.com/terencecrawford/status/1464812946064822276https://twitter.com/JamiePandaram/status/1464819093660340227https://twitter.com/campo37/status/1464808831918034953https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1464819653847371778https://twitter.com/Cody_KayeFOX/status/1464817528379625474https://twitter.com/TeddyAtlasReal/status/1464817043572625415
Kambosos’ stunning upset also put him on the radar of some of boxing’s biggest names, who all wanted their piece of the Aussie superstar.
https://twitter.com/RyanGarcia/status/1464818921131757582https://twitter.com/MichaelBensonn/status/1464824290638012419
Kambosos was pumped after his upset win, calling himself the “greatest Australian fighter in history”.
“Have I changed all week? Have I changed all career? Never… I’m not the king, because you’ve got four kings. I’m the emperor,” he exclaimed.
“Every day I got better and better and better and better.
“It’s my night tonight and it’s gunna be my night for a very long time
“I’m the Emperor. I got myself back up, what a warrior.”