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'Oh my f---ing god!' Pacquiao leads tributes for Aussie Kambosos after all-time boxing upset
The Roar
28th November, 2021
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The Roar
28th November, 2021
45
3385 Reads

Australian boxer George Kambosos Jr is the IBF, WBO, WBA and The Ring lightweight world champion, after stunning the previously undefeated Teofimo Lopez in an extraordinary upset.

In a split decision, the Sydney-born 28-year old claimed victory 115-111, 115-113, 113-14, despite starting as a 6-1 outsider, in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd.

“I believed in myself, I backed myself. I’m not the king, I’m the emperor,” Kambosos said after his landmark victory.

“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.

“I’m the greatest Australian fighter in history.”

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The win is the greatest in Australian boxing since at least Jeff Horn’s famous welterweight triumph over Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

A petulant Lopez was booed after the result came in, when the former champion claimed ‘I won tonight’.

“The referee raised my hand, I won tonight,” Lopez fumed.

“I ain’t no sore loser, I take my wins and I can take my losses,” Lopez fumed.

“At the end of the day, I’m a true champion… I don’t care what anybody says.

“I won this fight.”

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Lopez had claimed in the lead-up to the fight he was keen on a first-round knockout, and made good on that promise with a series of wild swings in the opening moments.

However, it would be Kambosos who drew first blood. After weathering a series of body blows from Lopez, a vicious right hook floored the New Yorker, and proving a sign of things to come.

Lopez would quickly abandon his early tactic thereafter, opting for caution for much of the remaining rounds. However, with the home crowd beginning to turn in favour of the Australian, Kambosos remained in front in the eyes of many, finishing the fourth round with another strong punch on Lopez, who was only saved by the bell.

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It took until the eighth round for Lopez to begin clawing his way back, courtesy of two late hits to the head. With the Australian appearing to be running out of steam, the American had all the momentum heading into the final rounds. The tenth was more of the same, two more head hits on Kambosos leaving him staggered.

However, Kambosos would then rally, taking advantage of a cut opening up above Lopez’s left eye with a pair of jabs to leave the American the worse for wear. By the time the twelfth round ended, it was clear which fighter had taken more damage; and the results would soon back that up.

Tributes for Kambosos were led by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, while fellow Australian UFC fighter Alex Volkanovski among others delighted by the result.

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