Manny Pacquiao swears George Kambosos Jr can win MORE world titles as he backs him to the hilt against Devin Haney and reveals why Aussie ‘was more than a sparring partner’
He is an icon in world boxing – and Manny Pacquaio is adamant George Kambosos Jr will beat US superstar Devin Haney in their highly anticipated bout next month.
The two fighters will go to war in the ring on June 5 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium – and Kambosos will have Pacquaio in his corner.
The 28-year-old Aussie will look to become the first boxer to hold all four belts – WBA, IBF, WBO and WBC – in the lightweight division when he fights Haney.
And the Sydney-based warrior, whose career record is 20-0, has all the hallmarks of a world champion, according to ‘PacMan.’
‘I’m amazed at what he’s doing in the gym,’ Pacquiao said. ‘No-one is in better condition. He (Kambosos) has sacrificed a lot to get to the top — and I don’t see him letting that go.
Aussie fighter George Kambosos Jr (right) and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao did over 250 rounds of sparring together for three years dating back to 2017
On June 5 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, Kambosos will have boxing legend Manny Pacquaio in his corner (pictured, right in 2001) when he fights Devin Haney
Kambosos told Daily Mail Australia that gloving up against the eight-division champion early in his career made him the fighter he is today
US superstar Devin Haney, 23, will face off against Kambosos Jr in front of an estimated 50,000 fans
‘He’s only limited by his imagination and ambition. So far, George has accomplished everything he has set his mind to.’
The friendship between Pacquiao and Kambosos started in 2017 in Los Angeles, at famed trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.
Roach had an inkling Kambosos was the perfect preparation for Pacquaio ahead of his duel with Aussie slugger Jeff Horn.
While history shows Horn won that fight at Suncorp Stadium, Pacquaio knew that Kambosos was more than a sparring partner.
And while on a serious of road runs, the senator of the Philippines sensed Kambosos, a one time promising junior rugby league player with Cronulla, had the desire to be a world champion.
‘George worked harder than anyone in the camp,’ Pacquiao told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I think that is why we got along so well. He was always doing the extra work. He never cut corners … he has that drive you need to be the world’s best.’
Ahead of his fight late last year against brash talking American Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos told his wife Bec he was prepared to die in the ring – as losing wasn’t an option.
The father of three won the bout via a split points decision, landing a $2million payday, which will set up his family for life.
28-year-old boxing champion George Kambosos Jr from Sydney is pictured with his young family
Kambosos Jr etched his name in Australian boxing folklore with a stunning points victory over Teofimo Lopez in their lightweight championship bout in November last year
Kambosos had the boxing world at his feet after beating Lopez – but plenty expect him to be outclassed by Devin Haney next month
He will again be the outsider versus Haney, 23 – and couldn’t be happier as he relishes the underdog tag.
This week he told Daily Mail Australia he is ready for the American, who is renowned for his sharp jab and precision counter punching.
‘He thinks he has a good pull-counter, he thinks he’s a good counter puncher,’ Kambosos said.
‘Let’s see how long that lasts for him when I put my hands on him. Everything I bring to the table is too much for him and he’ll find that out real quick.’
Source: Daily Mail Online