FIGHT WEEK
George Kambosos Jr. will defend his undisputed 135-pound championship against Devin Haney in Australia. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Stephen Fulton Jr. will defend his belts against Daniel Roman.
George Kambosos Jr. (20-0, 10 KOs) vs. Devin Haney (27-0, 15 KOs)
- When: Saturday, June 4 (June 5 in Australia)
- Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
- TV/Stream: ESPN
- Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
- Rounds: 12
- At stake: Kambosos’ undisputed championship
- Pound-for-pound ranking: Kambosos Honorable Mention
- Odds: Haney 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: Jason Moloney vs. Aston Palicte, bantamweights; Junior Fa vs. Lucas Browne, heavyweights
- Prediction: Haney UD
- Background: This is one of the best-possible matchups in the 135-pound division. Kambosos is coming off the victory of his life, a split decision over previously unbeaten and favored Teofimo Lopez to win all four major titles and become king of the division this past November. Kambosos, 28, is a rugged boxer-puncher who will have the advantage of fighting on his home soil, although he’s from Sydney. The globetrotter hasn’t fought in Australia since 2017, eight fights ago. Haney has already had several high-profile fights but this is an enormous opportunity for him. The native of San Francisco has convincingly outpointed in succession Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares and Joseph Diaz Jr., an impressive run. The Diaz fight took place in December. Haney is only 23 but has more experience than Kambosos when you add up amateur and pro fights, a reported 173 to 120. He also has a deeper pro resume. And Haney is probably the more skillful of the two, which is why he’s a slight favorite. The WBC designates Haney as its lightweight champion but Boxing Junkie recognizes Kambosos, the “franchise” beltholder, as the true champ.
Stephen Fulton Jr. (20-0, 8 KOs) vs. Daniel Roman (29-3-1, 10 KOs)
- When: Saturday, June 4
- Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
- Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
- TV/Stream: Showtime
- Division: Junior featherweight (122 pounds)
- Rounds: 12
- At stake: Fulton’s WBC and WBO titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: Fulton 5-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
- Also on the card: David Morrell vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights
- Prediction: Fulton UD
- Background: Fulton is one of the most-talented all-around fighters in the business but he struggled in his last fight, a majority-decision victory over the relentlessly aggressive Brandon Figueroa in a title-unification bout this past November. Some believe Figueroa deserved the victory. In the end, it was the resourceful Fulton who emerged victorious and a unified champion. Roman is a technician, which is more or less the oppositive style to Figueroa. However, he is so skillful that Fulton could again face a serious threat. Roman lost two 122-pound titles by a majority decision to Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January 2020, a fight in which many believe Roman did more than enough to win. The setback ended his winning streak at 19 fights. He got right back to work, easily outpointing Juan Carlos Payano and Ricardo Franco (in May of last year) to earn the chance to become a unified champion again. Fulton is in his prime at 27. Roman is 32.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
- Juan Avila Medina vs. Gerardo Contreras Gonzalez, junior welterweights, Costa Mesa, California (FITE).
- Luis Torres vs. Irving Castillo, lightweights, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass).
FRIDAY
- Kevin Piedrahita vs. Ernesto Murillo Alcantar, junior lightweights, Ciudad Obregon, Mexico (beIN Sports).
- Erik Morales vs. Jorge Arce, exhibition, Zacatecas, Mexico.
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