Devin Haney took to social media this week to motivate his former foe, George Kambosos Jr., ahead of Kambosos’ showdown with rising star Jake Wyllie on Saturday, March 22. Scheduled to air live on DAZN from Australia’s Qudos Bank Arena, the fight is critical for Kambosos’ prospects, as a victory could line him up for a world title clash with IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins in June. Meanwhile, promoter Eddie Hearn has also mentioned Wyllie as a backup opponent for Hitchins if the 24-year-old manages an upset.
Kambosos has struggled recently, going 1-3 in his last four fights, and Australian fans seem less eager than before to fill the seats in Sydney. After a huge win over Teofimo Lopez in late 2021, “The Emperor” once rode a wave of local fan adoration. That crowd support, however, appears to have faded, with poor ticket sales for his bout against Wyllie. Some observers blame Hearn for failing to bring a major headliner to boost interest.
Watch Kambosos vs. Wyllie weigh-in highlights: Watch
What really intrigues fans is Haney’s open endorsement of Kambosos. Many wonder if it’s entirely altruistic or if Haney is hedging his bets for a potential trilogy should things go sideways for him in his own May 2 matchup against Jose Ramirez. A loss there might leave Haney short on big-name options, making a rubber match in Australia a more appealing prospect - especially if Kambosos can rebound with a much-needed victory on Saturday.
Haney famously dethroned Kambosos in front of over 40,000 fans in Melbourne back in June 2022. At the time, Kambosos was riding high on his upset of Lopez and had the Aussie crowd firmly on his side. As both men’s fortunes shift, Haney’s recent support could signal future plans - even if, for now, the spotlight remains on whether Kambosos can still attract fans and show enough in the ring to earn another high-stakes showdown.
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