Different fight, same result.
Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney outclassed George Kambosos Jr. to win a wide decision in their rematch Saturday (Sunday in Australia) in Melbourne, repeating the performance that earned him the four major titles in June.
The official scores were 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. In the first fight, Haney won by scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112.
Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) picked Kambosos (20-2, 10 KOs) apart from a safe distance from beginning to end, setting up clean power shots with his long, accurate jab to win round after round.
Kambosos never gave up but did more posturing than punching, perhaps because he was afraid to get countered. And when he did let his hands go, he had difficulty finding the target.
Haney outlanded Kambosos 202 to 76, according to CompuBox. The Aussie landed average of only six rounds per round.
Haney, who was determined to make a statement, picked up in his pace late in the fight in an apparent attempt to score a knockout. However, in the end, he had to settle for another dominating points victory.
One difference from the first fight: Haney relied more on his right hand than his left to dominate Kambosos.
“I knew he was looking for the jab so I wanted to show some other tools in my arsenal,” he said. “My dad (trainer Bill Haney) wanted me to throw the hook more but I feel like the right hand is what won me the fight tonight.”
Haney had hoped that another one-sided victory over Kambosos would get him onto pound-for-pound lists, if he wasn’t already there. (He’s an Honorable Mention on Boxing Junkie’s list.)
He feels he did enough to realize that goal.
“The first fight they said all I had was a jab,” he said. “Today I came in and I showed my right hand, I showed how versatile I am. I came to Australia not once but twice, I honored it. And I beat the man in his [backyard] twice.
“I definitely deserve to be in the pound-for-pound rankings.”
He also deserves more big fights.
Indeed, bigger tests undoubtedly lie ahead for Haney, who presumably now will take on better 135-pounders than Kambosos. That could include Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
He isn’t afraid of anyone.
“We take on all comers, no matter who it is,” he said. “We want to fight the best fighters in the world. I believe I’m the best fighter in the world. Whoever is next, bring him on.”
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