Undisputed lightweight champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney 29-0 (15) retained his four major world title belts with a unanimous decision victory of George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos Jr 20-2 (10) in their rematch at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday afternoon.
The first two rounds were competitive with Sydney’s Kambosos, 29, continually switched from orthodox to southpaw but he never threw a punch from the left-handed stance.
The 23-year-old American champion found his rhythm in the middle rounds, landing with jabs and right hands as he timed the local fighter.
By the eighth round Kambosos seemed out of answers as Haney continued to get the better of the action and finished the stronger of the two to secure the victory by scores of 119-109 and 118-110 twice.
Kambosos was dripping blood from a cut over the right eye from round 10 onwards.
“When he first came out, I didn’t expect him to be switching. But I caught on to his timing and his angles, and I started to pick my shots more,” said Haney.
“He’s a warrior. I take my hat off to George Kambosos and all the Australian fans that came out. Thank you guys for giving me so much hospitality here.”
On the undercard the Moloney twins Andrew and Jason both came out victorious in world title elimantors that put them in line for world title challenges.
Bantamweight contender Jason Moloney 25-2 (19) boxed smartly to outpoint Thailand’s Nawaphon Kaikanha 56-2-1 (46) on points over 12 rounds.
The Aussie showed clever skills over the distance to win by scores of 118-110 on two cards and 119-109 on the third.
Super flyweight contender Andrew ‘The Monster’ Moloney 25-2 (16) was also successful against former two-time world title contender Norbelto ‘Meneito’ Jimemez 31-10-6 (16) winning on points over 10 frames.
Moloney had the Dominican down in the first and second rounds before going on to win by scores of 97-90, and 98-88 twice.
Jimenez was down twice in the opening two rounds, the first time from a stiff jab.
Earlier in the day Cherneka ‘Sugar Neekz’ Johnson 15-1 (6) retained her IBF super bantamweight championship with a unanimous point decision over former world champion Susie ‘Susie Q’ Ramadan 29-4 (12).
The 27-year-old Johnson suffered a nasty cut from an unintentional clash of heads in the second round that threaten to end the bout.
Despite blinking through a veil of blood, the ringside physician allow the bout to continue and Johnson make the most of the opportunity, using her younger legs and higher workrate to out-score the 43-year-old veteran.
Johnson deditcated the fight to her brother Levi, who was murdered outside of a gym last month.
“I always knew this is what my brother would have wanted,” she said. “He wanted to be here on Sunday for this fight. This would have been the first fight he would have been able to come to, so this one is a dedication to him.”