Maxi Hughes has shared a stark warning for George Kambosos Jr. ahead of his IBF lightweight title bout against Vasiliy Lomachenko at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Hughes, who narrowly lost to Kambosos in a controversial decision in July 2023, firmly believes Kambosos will face defeat unless he adopts an aggressive approach similar to Orlando Salido's in 2014. Despite Kambosos’s youth at 30, Hughes sees the highly skilled and seasoned Lomachenko as a formidable opponent whose strengths could overshadow Kambosos's strategies unless he fights unconventionally.

Hughes explained that Kambosos must "throw caution to the wind" to have any shot at victory. He noted:

“He’s not gonna outdo Loma in footwork, so he’s not going to be able to get in – he’s got to take shots to get in, and he’s gotta rough him up, like Orlando Salido did."

This aggressive, risk-taking style, while dangerous, could be Kambosos’s best bet against Lomachenko, whom Hughes regards as one of the elite fighters in the sport. He expressed skepticism about Kambosos's ability to outbox Lomachenko, suggesting that the only plausible path to victory for Kambosos is through relentless pressure and a high work rate throughout the 12 rounds.

When Lomachenko shut down the axe man: Watch

The challenge for Kambosos is substantial, as Hughes does not see much chance for him unless the match goes to the judges and decisions fall in his favor. He commented on the potential impact of time on Lomachenko:

"Unless Father Time’s caught up with him, which I don’t think it will have, I think George is gonna get stopped."

Hughes also refuted Kambosos’s self-portrayal as a "Spartan warrior," recalling how he had once "stiffened his legs up," suggesting that Lomachenko would decisively overpower him.

Reflecting on his own fight with Kambosos, Hughes noted the strategic caution they exercised despite having Kambosos in a vulnerable position, fearing Kambosos's capability when hurt, similar to fighter Nigel Benn. This cautious approach, in hindsight, felt like a missed opportunity to secure a knockout. Finally, when asked about the likelihood of Lomachenko receiving a fair decision if the fight goes to the judges, Hughes expressed hope but remained wary, referencing the controversial Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn decision as an example of potential bias.

Image Credit: Top Rank