Vasiliy Lomachenko vs George Kambosos Jr. open workout quotes
The weather forecast called for showers, which moved the open workout indoors. But the sun stayed shining, and the fighters congregated at the intimate Big Rigs Boxing Gym in front of a standing-room-only audience.
The main event will see living legend Vasiliy Lomachenko battle Australia’s favorite son, George Kambosos Jr., for the vacant IBF lightweight world title on Sunday, May 12, at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
The event will be shown LIVE in prime time on Saturday, May 11 in the United States.
In a world championship special attraction, just before the main event, Great Britain’s WBA bantamweight world champion Nina Hughes (6-0, 2 KOs) makes her second world title defence against Australian former world champion Cherneka Johnson (15-2, 6 KOs).
The ESPN-televised broadcast kicks off with the return of Andrew Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs), who takes on Mexican former world champion Pedro Guevara (41-4-1, 22 KOs) for the vacant WBC Interim junior bantamweight championship.
Lomachenko-Kambosos, Hughes-Johnson and Moloney-Guevara will be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
At the open workout, this is what the main event fighters had to say:
Vasiliy Lomachenko: “I feel great. Thank you for this atmosphere. I appreciate the Australian people. These are great fans. They understand boxing. This is why they’re here.”
“This is going to be a memorable fight. For him, it’s a war. For me, it’s a competition.”
“I have a goal. I need this title. My motivation is this title and to be world champion again.”
George Kambosos Jr.: “I appreciate all the support. We have a big fight on Sunday. We are motivated. We are ready. It’s business time on Sunday.
“The city is buzzing. There is a Kambosos fight going on. I am humbled to bring an event like this to Perth. We are coming to win this world title.
“Sunday, Kambosos versus Loma. The biggest and the best, and we’re ready for war. I’m coming with everything I have.”
Running Order
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr.
12×3 Vacant IBF Lightweight World Title
Nina Hughes vs. Cherneka Johnson
10×2 Hughes’ WBA Bantamweight World Title
Andrew Moloney vs. Pedro Guevara
12×3 Vacant WBC Interim Junior Bantamweight World Title