IBF mandatory contender George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos 19-0 (10) says he is rapt that promotional rights for his challenge to undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez 16-0 (12) have been handed over to Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.
Social media network Triller won the original purse bid with an offer of more than $6 million but have repeatedly failed to promote the fight. The original date in June was scrapped after Lopez contract Covid-19 and multiple dates were subsequently scheduled before being scrapped.
Last week Triller announced they were walking away from the fight with the IBF issuing promotional rights to Matchroom.
“The IBF has made their ruling, which is fantastic,” Kambosos said to Fightnews. “Despite all the date changes for the fight with Lopez, I remained in the gym. When you set a date, we want to fight. I don’t think these guys [at Triller] understood that. There is a lot of preparation for a big fight.
“[Triller] wanted to move the date again. My management and myself requested Triller to show proof of funds of $6 million gross purse in escrow. The last thing you want to do is fight and there is no money there for the fighters.
“With all the date changes you begin to think there could be another issue. Lopez’s attorney and team supported the escrow request from Team Kambosos and our attorney Mr Greg Smith.
“Lopez is the undisputed champion but he doesn’t know what he is doing most of the time. They make a lot of mistakes outside of the ring. If it wasn’t for my team, my father (co-manager) and my attorney Greg Smith, who also represented Canelo Alvarez recently, the Triller saga would be ongoing.”
Kambosos has fond memories of boxing on a Matchroom card.
“The IBF made a fantastic decision and now Eddie Hearn will promote the fight,” he said. “We all know Eddie Hearn, who is one of the top promoters in the world, and he is going to give this fight the respect it deserves.
“Eddie promoted the biggest win of my career against Lee Selby. Eddie has signed a few Australian boxers but there is only one who is going to have all those beautiful belts. Eddie I think has the same vision that I have. I will win this fight. I know I have a fantastic team. This will be the biggest fight by an Australian boxer. For all the belts.”
The working date for the Lopez-Kambosos fight is November 13. Kambosos says he will be the hungrier fighter going in to the bout.
“Lopez has been seen out and about at the casinos,” he said. “He is a big celebrity and he is enjoying the fruits of his labour. Let him get mixed up in the bright lights.
“I know I’m in the gym 24/7 and staying very low-key. I am very focused to make sure I win this fight and fulfill my dreams, give my kids the best life possible.”
