George Kambosos jnr will have the weight of the nation on his shoulders when goes up against Devin Haney at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week but he could also have legendary former world champion Manny Pacquiao in his corner.
The gritty Aussie will aim to become just the eighth undisputed world champion across all weight divisions since the four-belt era began in 2004, and if things go to plan, he’ll have none other than Pacquaio on his side, after the boxing legend missed out on his chance to become president of the Philippines in the country’s recent election.
Kambosos was Pacquiao’s chief sparring partner for three years, with the Aussie crediting his time with the boxing superstar for giving him confidence in the early days and instilling belief in himself when it came time to fight Teofimo Lopez last year.
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Pacquiao is no stranger to Australia, having taken on Jeff Horn in Brisbane five years ago where he suffered a shock points defeat. Kambosos hopes the legend’s presence will rub off on him against Haney.
“That’s what I’m hearing, that he’s going to be here,” Kambosos told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I look forward to catching up with him. We keep in contact and unfortunately, he didn’t succeed in his push to become president, but he’s a strong man. I’m sure he will be pushing for the next election.
“My time with Manny Pacquiao was invaluable for my career, especially early in the piece.
“I was doing my 12-round preparations like he was, so when I got to my championship fights, I knew exactly what I had to do to become world champion.
“He said I was ready to become world champion back then. Hearing that from an all-time great, from a guy like Manny Pacquiao, when he’s telling you in 2017-18 you should be a champion right now …that gave me an extra boost.”
Kambosos, the bookies’ underdog for his first title defence, has a rematch clause in his contract in case he loses against Haney, but if he gets past the American his next defence will also be at Marvel Stadium against Vasily Lomachenko in October or November, the second fight of a two-fight deal with the Victorian government.
The undefeated Sydney champion’s father Jim Kambosos said the plan is to hold events in Sydney after their current agreement expires.
“We’re Sydney guys, we want to do it in Sydney as well,” he said.
“The secret is to keep winning, which we’re confident we’ll do against Devin Haney.
“We’ve got a new stadium that will be finished by then at Moore Park, the Sydney Football Stadium. It hasn’t got a roof on it, but I’m sure we could do it at a time when the weather is a bit drier. We want to keep fighting here for a long time.”
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