George Kambosos Jr fights through tricky cut to beat Jake Wyllie
George Kambosos Jr overcame a troublesome cut to defeat dangerous underdog Jake ‘The Machine’ Wyllie and put IBF World Super-Lightweight Champion Richardson Hitchins on notice with a hard-fought unanimous points victory in Sydney.
Headlining in his hometown for the first time in over eight years, the ‘Ferocious’ former Undisputed Lightweight king introduced himself to the 140lb division in style as he displayed his elite level class throughout, winning the scorecards at 117-111, 117-111 and 115-113.
Australian National Champion Wyllie, who stepped in to replace injured original opponent Daud Yordan at under a week’s notice, did incredibly well to stand-toe-to-toe with the former Undisputed Lightweight king, however, and revelled in his ‘Rocky’ moment.
Just six days ago Wyllie was a paying customer with a ticket to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena before he was called to step in to fight in the Main Event at under a week’s notice, replacing original Main Event opponent Daud Yordan.
And the dangerous Australian National Champion at 140lb threteaned to spoil the homecoming party for Kambosos Jr as he gained confidence after an impressive fifth round flurry, and a subsequent strong showing in the sixth-round before pressing forward in the ninth when a gruesome clash of heads caused an unsettling cut to the head of Kambosos Jr.
The brilliant Wyllie stepped on the gas at the tailend of the fight, trading shots with Kambosos Jr to earn himself deserved adulation – and an eventual contract offer from Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn.
Victory was never in doubt though for Kambsos Jr who, despite the cut, could see trouble coming and managed to come through the test of his Queensland rival.
Although it wasn’t the statement victory Kambosos Jr wanted, he made his intentions clear that he wants a world title shot next by calling out IBF holder Hitchins.
“It was a good war,” said Kambosos Jr, speaking after the fight.
“He’s a tough kid. I always knew he was going to be prepard. He’s the best domestic guy at 140lb and he has a lot more to give in his future. Good on him. He had five days’ notice, but so did I. It was a hell of a fight.
“I would have loved to put him away. But credit to him. A win is a win, and we move on to what comes next. Sh**-chins won’t fight nowhere near as hard s him [Jake Wyllie]. Hitchins, let’s go!
“I want to fight you to-to-toe. I know Hitchins is a tip-tap kind of guy and he will try and hit and run. I’m a warrior. I boxed beautifully for the first five rounds. We’ll get this cut cleaned up and we’ll be ready.
“Eddie [Hearn], let’s do it. I’m all in and I want to fight the best of the best. If Hitchins is your best guy, then let him fight toe-to-toe with me. End of June? Bring it on.”
Promoter and Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn said: “Tonight showed what boxing is all about: taking opportunities and putting it all on the line. Six days ago, this show was in jeopardy.
“Full credit to Jake Wyllie. This man stepped up and honestly, he would have done it without a purse. Tonight is all about George Kamboos Jr going forward to fight for the world title but it’s also about a new star that is born for Australian boxing in Jake Wyllie. He scored have boxed 15 or 20 rounds. He has a massive future ahead of him.
“George Kambosos Jr has done so much for Australian boxing. He’s fought the likes of Haney, Lomachenko and he wanted to come back to Sydney tonight because he hasn’t been here in eight years. If that cut heals up, we’ve got a date at the end of June – and that is the date, he’ll need to be ready. If he is, we’re ready to move forward for George Kambosos Jr to fight for the World Championship in America and become a two-division World Champion.
“I think that’s what he deserves for the fights that he’s been in. I think Richardson Hitchins is a fantastic fighter and one of the best in the world, if not the best at 140. He’s ready to put it on the line and that build-up will be spicy.
“I want to thank George for everything he’s done in bringing this show here tonight and thank Jake Wyllie. You have a great heart and a big future ahead. One thing I can promise to you is that you will have a contract offer on Monday morning from Matchroom Boxing.”
A proud Wyllie added: “Firstly, a massive thank you to George for giving me this opportunity and to Eddie Hearn for putting me on this card. I fought my heart out tonight, won over a lot of fans and I believe I am destined for great things.
“To even get in the ring with him is an honour and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for George in the future.”
Skye Nicolson vs Tiara Brown
Tiara Brown, meanwhile, upset Skye Nicolson in the co-Main Event as she captured the WBC World Featherweight Championship – and the commemorative WBC Homecoming belt – with a closely contested split decision victory (96-94, 94-96 and 97-93).Nicolson started brightly in front of her home fans, but Brown swiftly forced the fight up close, managing to engineer her path to her first world title triumph.
The pair had been embroiled in a lively build-up throughout the week – and it was the undefeated American (19-0, 11 KOs) who eventually celebrated by winning the famous green and gold strap on away soil, with Nicolson, now 12-1, succumbing to her first professional setback.
“I thought it could have gone either way and I was surprised by the last scorecard, especially being an Australian judge,” said Hearn.
“However, it was always a 6-4 fight. And I don’t think anyone could have any complaints though because it was a fight that could have gone either way. Skye made the mistake of fighting Tiara’s fight tonight.
“I thought she won the last two rounds, but you must give the credit to Tiara Brown who got the job done on away soil. We’d love the WBC to give us a chance back but it’s Tiara’s night and she deserves it.”
A delighted Brown beamed afterwards: “My composure and the pressure won me the fight.
“She [Nicolson] was holding a bit but this is boxing. My options right now are good. Right now I want to go and eat some cupcakes and some ice cream! All power be to God. Shout out to my coach and my team. And shout out to Eddie [Hearn] – without him, I wouldn’t be here.”
Cherneka Johnson vs Nina Hughes
Another World Championship is staying put in Australia, however, as WBA World Bantamweight queen Cherneka Johnson ensured there was no doubt this time round in a classy performance over Britain’s Nina Hughes, winning via a TKO in round seven.
There was controversy in their last meeting almost a year ago when Hughes was mistakenly declared the winner after the bell before the correct call was announced.
It left a question mark hanging over Johnson. But the home fighter had all the answers in Sydney as she successfully defended her belt.
Hughes suffered a bloodied nose after a clash of heads early in the fight. Her corner attempted to rally the 42-year-old by imploring the Brit to bravely battle on for her two young boys watching back at home.
Ultimately, Johnson’s power proved the difference as she landed the bigger and decisive shots throughout in order to retain her title as Hughes’ team threw in the towel to halt the one-sided proceedings just 46 seconds into the seventh.
“I’m over the moon,” said a jubilant Johnson, speaking after the fight.
“This was the moment I wanted last time. It was quite emotional in there for me. We didn’t want any controversy this time and that was why I was so decisive in there. My power and strength got the job done tonight.
“I want to collect all the belts. Whatever my team decides, that’s what I’ll go for next. I’m a warrior and I want them all.”
Teremoana Teremoana Jr vs James Singh
Rising Heavyweight sensation Teremoana Jr stretched his unbeaten record to seven wins with his seventh successive stoppage after slaying James ‘The Beast’ Singh inside the first round.
Singh started in blistering fashion with a heavy shot on Teremoana. But the towering Aussie, who represented his country at the Olympics last summer, brushed it off with ease and quickly floored his Fijian rival before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
“Everybody loves him,” said Eddie Hearn.
“He’s going to move fast and not many people are going to stand up to him. He could feature on the May 13 undercard headlined by Jai Opetaia next. But we really want to take him on a world tour, taking in the UK and the USA, to get in that world class sparring and experience, along with the vital rounds to help progress him into the big time.”
Imam Khataev vs Durval Palacio
In a compelling, see-saw battle opening the main card, the undefeated Imam ‘The Destroyer’ Khataev prevailed in a bruising encounter with a spirited Durval Palacio.
Khataev – who reached the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympic Games, losing to Britain’s eventual silver medallist Ben Whittaker – dropped his Argentine rival early in round four with an impressive right hook.
But a tough Palacio impressively swung the pendulum around to push forward, refusing to be stopped and leaving his mark on Khataev who suffered a cut above the eye which required medics to closely monitor from the sixth onwards.
Eventually Khataev came through an exhilarating Light-Heavyweight war, going the distance for the first time in his career to improve his record to 10-0 (9 KOs) with all three judges ruling in his favour, scoring the contest 99-89, 99-89, 98-90.
