BoxRec

Undercard Press Release

Australian two-time bantamweight world title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney and New Zealand-born heavyweight contender Junior Fa hope to showcase their talents for the home region fans at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on the undercard of the George Kambosos Jr.-Devin Haney undisputed lightweight world title showdown. The Kambosos-Haney world championship event is projected to be one of the biggest boxing events ever on Australian soil.

Moloney will battle former world title challenger Aston Palicte in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO International bantamweight title, while Fa will take on Australian fan-favorite Lucas Browne in a 10-rounder for the WBA Oceania and IBF International heavyweight title belts.

Kambosos-Haney, Moloney-Palicte, Fa-Browne, and an eight-round heavyweight fight between Hemi Ahio (18-0, 13 KOs), Auckland, New Zealand, and Joe Jones (13-4, 10 KOs), of Jersey City. N.J, will be televised LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In a swing bout, cruiserweight David Nyika (2-0, 2 KOs) will be showcased in 6/4-rounder against an opponent to be named. Nyika, from Hamilton, New Zealand, captured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. A beloved sporting hero in his country, Nyika has earned his stripes as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Following the main event, streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, world-rated junior bantamweight contender Andrew Moloney (23-2, 15 KOs) will battle Nicaragua’s Alexander Espinoza (21-3-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and Devin Haney Promotions-signed junior middleweight prospect Amari Jones (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ankush Hooda (3-0-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled six-rounder.

“When it comes to presenting an undercard worthy of its main event — the battle between world champions George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight world championship — it's Aussie Rules. Australian fight fans in Marvel Stadium and viewers around the globe will be treated to a feast of exciting all-action bouts, many featuring contenders and prospects from Australia, as well as New Zealand. And those not televised live on ESPN will be streamed to the U.S. on ESPN+,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We are prepared to make history in Melbourne.”

Browne (30-3, 26 KOs) won the WBA Oceania title with a knockout victory over Faiga Opelu in December and is a former WBA world titlist. The 32-year-old Fa (19-1, 10 KOs) is looking to get his career back on track after losing to former world champion Joseph Parker in his last outing in February 2021. Fa has notable wins over American veterans Devin Vargas and Dominick Guinn.

“I would love nothing more than to fight for another world title, and Junior Fa is standing in my way,” Browne said. “If I can put him away early, that will send a message to the boxing world that I am far from finished. He has only lost once in his career, to Joseph Parker. I plan to hand him his second defeat.”

"I am 100 percent back myself, but I'm not taking Lucas lightly, as he is a former world champ and was stopped by Paul Gallen with some illegal blows, so I don't count that as a loss for him,” Fa said. “He has his power, and we saw him use it to KO his last opponent. I'll be getting the best Lucas Browne for this fight as I'm in the way of him being a contender again. It's a huge opportunity for him and it's going to be a tough fight."

Moloney (23-2, 18 KOs) has re-ignited his career since an October 2020 knockout loss to pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue. He defeated top contender Joshua Greer Jr. last August and made his 2022 debut in April with a one-sided decision over Francisco Javier Pedroza. He is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by WBO. Palicte (28-4-1, 23 KOs), from Bago City, Philippines, twice challenged for world titles at junior bantamweight and has won three consecutive fights. He is world-rated No. 6 by the IBF.

Moloney said, “I am grateful to Top Rank and Lou DiBella for the opportunity to be part of the biggest event in Australian boxing history. It is a dream come true. I’m expecting a tough fight against a former world title challenger in Aston Palicte, as he has shown that he can perform at the top level. I will be coming with everything I have to deliver the impressive performance of my career. Get ready for Mayhem!”

The undercard, which will be streamed in the U.S. exclusively on ESPN+, features three highly touted Ferocious Promotions prospects: Terry Nickolas, Isaias Sette and Hussein Fayad. Nickolas (2-1, 2 KOs), from Sydney, takes a step up in opposition experience when he rumbles with Lachlan Higgins (7-4-1, 2 KOs), from Mornington, Australia, in a six-round junior middleweight bout. Junior middleweight Sette and junior lightweight Fayad, both from Sydney, will be making their pro debuts in four-round bouts. Sette will fight Melbourne-born knockout artist Luke Gersbeck (2-0, 2 KOs), while Fayad will take on Pom Thanawut Phetkum (1-1), from Springvale, Australia. Taylah Robertson (4-1, 1 KO), from Brisbane, Australia, and Sarah Higginson (3-0-1, 1 KO), from Perth, Australia, will face off in a five-round junior bantamweight battle. Both fighters enter this bout having won their previous title fights. Robertson scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Kylie Fulmer in their Australia Female bantamweight title fight while Higginson scored her first knockout, stopping Danni Mace in the fourth round to capture the vacant Australian National Boxing Federation Australasian Female bantamweight title.

This is ppv in NZ.
I'm going to pay. Much as I don't think it is quite worth it, there are a few fighters I follow on the undercard, so that sort of pushes it into a 'yes' from me.
Watch David Nyika, commonwealth gold medalist turned pro.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 03:17 This is ppv in NZ.
I'm going to pay. Much as I don't think it is quite worth it, there are a few fighters I follow on the undercard, so that sort of pushes it into a 'yes' from me.
Watch David Nyika, commonwealth gold medalist turned pro.

How much?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 04:40

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 03:17 This is ppv in NZ.
I'm going to pay. Much as I don't think it is quite worth it, there are a few fighters I follow on the undercard, so that sort of pushes it into a 'yes' from me.
Watch David Nyika, commonwealth gold medalist turned pro.

How much?

$40nzd or £20

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 05:02

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 04:40

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 03:17 This is ppv in NZ.
I'm going to pay. Much as I don't think it is quite worth it, there are a few fighters I follow on the undercard, so that sort of pushes it into a 'yes' from me.
Watch David Nyika, commonwealth gold medalist turned pro.

How much?

$40nzd or £20

I guess that's not bad considering what you've said.

Does it take the piss when big fights in Aus are not prime time?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 05:09

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 05:02

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 May 2022, 04:40

How much?

$40nzd or £20

I guess that's not bad considering what you've said.

Does it take the piss when big fights in Aus are not prime time?

It means I struggle to get on the piss for big fights.
The UK ones generally start at 6am on a Sunday. And I have cracked a bottle in the past, the last time was for AJ Klitchko. But generally I'm not that much of a legend. The American fights are early or mid Sunday afternoon and a lot more convivial

Press Release | Yoel Angeloni Inks With DiBella, Will Go Pro on Kambosos-Haney Card

Yoel Angeloni, a sought-after amateur, has signed with DiBella Entertainment. DBE will present Angeloni's professional debut on the undercard of the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney undisputed lightweight championship fight, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Melbourne boasts one of the largest Italian communities outside of Italy. Angeloni will debut in a four-round welterweight bout against Ken Aitken (3-0, 1 KO), from Queensland, Australia, who has yet to see even one scorecard go against him.

Kambosos vs. Haney, along with Jason Moloney vs. Aston Palicte, Junior Fa vs. Lucas Browne, and Hemi Ahio vs. Joe Jones will be televised LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Angeloni-Aitken and all other undercard contests will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

"Yoel is a legitimate blue-chip prospect, which is one of the reasons I chose the Kambosos-Haney undercard to launch his professional career,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“Despite campaigning almost exclusively as a junior, Yoel’s talent is extraordinary for his age, and he’s been heavily recruited throughout the industry. I couldn’t pass on an Italian Cuban prodigy with his natural ability. In addition to introducing Yoel to Melbourne’s prodigious Italian community, fighting June 4 at Marvel Stadium will allow him to realize his recurring dream of making his pro debut on a huge show, before his nineteenth birthday on June 11. Who am I to deny destiny? In my career, I’ve seen very few teenage fighters as gifted as Yoel. Everyone at DiBella Entertainment is proud that Yoel chose us.”

Angeloni, 18, boasts an impressive amateur boxing pedigree. Born in Rome, Italy, to an Italian father (Alessandro Angeloni) and a Cuban mother (Olga Lidia Lara), Angeloni was three years old when he moved to southern Cuba with his mother, living in the city of Cienfuegos, one of the country's chief ports. Situated on Cuba's largest natural bay and open to the sea, the bay was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1494. So it should come as no surprise that this was where a six-year-old Angeloni first discovered the national sport of boxing. Over the years, Angeloni developed his craft, earning a place on the prestigious Cuban National Youth Boxing team, where he fashioned a sterling 130-2 record. When he turned 15, he returned to his native Italy, where he was quickly accepted by the Italian Boxing Federation. Fighting under the Italian colors, Angeloni won all 10 of his fights, and captured gold medals at the 2019 Junior European Championships and the 2021 Emil Jechev Memorial International Youth Boxing Tournament.

"I am very happy to be signed with DiBella Entertainment. They are giving me an opportunity to showcase my skills on ESPN+ for my pro debut and on one of the biggest boxing events of the year. I am so excited to be making my professional debut in Melbourne which has a very large Italian population," said Angeloni.

"I want to thank my advisor and manager, Alonzo Benezra, for believing in me from the moment we met and by turning my dreams into reality. Winning the gold medal at the 2019 Junior European World Championship was a very proud moment for me, my parents, my family, and many of my supporters who have followed me during my amateur career. I also want to thank the Italian amateur federation and the Cuban amateur federation. But now it’s time to realize my dream of becoming a world champion.”

Bill Haney Not (Yet) Permitted To Travel To Australia; Yoel Judah To Lead Devin Haney's Corner For Kambosos Fight

Devin Haney hits the road for the biggest fight of his young career without his primary team in tow.

Travel plans for the WBC lightweight titlist will not include the company of his father and head trainer, Bill Haney who was not permitted to go through customs for their trip to Australia. The elder Haney was denied entry due to a prior conviction holding up his visa application, forcing Devin Haney to literally fly solo en route to Melbourne ahead of his June 5 undisputed lightweight championship clash with lineal/WBA/IBF/WBO champ George Kambosos Jr.

“I’m still at home in Vegas. I wasn’t able to board the flight to go over [to Australia],” Bill Haney confirmed during an appearance on Trill Boxing Talk, a YouTube-based show on which he is a regular guest. “They said my visa hasn’t been approved. It hasn’t been denied. At this point in time, I wasn’t able to go through customs.

“I do want the world to know, as a dad I’ve prepared Devin for this moment and doing what he does best—showing up and showing out. I’ve been preparing him for the day when he will no longer have me. I don’t have my dad, I lost him at the same age Devin is now. It was devastating to lose him, he raised a solid one. I can only hope that all the talks me and Devin has had, that he’s able to remember and to be the man I know that he is.”

It was revealed during the same show that—short of the elder Haney being approved for a travel visa in the coming days—Haney (27-0, 15KOs) will be trained by Yoel Judah—the father and head trainer of retired former two-division and undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah—for the upcoming four-belt, undisputed championship. The bout will air live on ESPN (June 4 evening in U.S., June 5 locally) from Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, regardless of who has to train Haney on fight night.

The customs issue stems from a 30-year-old conviction, when Bill Haney served time on a drug conviction in 1992. Australian visa rules state that felons who have served 12 months or more in prison are ineligible to qualify for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or eVisitor visa required for short-term visits. Bill Haney stated in advance his past criminal record in hopes of avoiding this scenario, though the issue remains unresolved as of Wednesday afternoon.

“That was the thing that puzzles me the most,” notes the elder Haney, who has trained and managed Devin throughout his boxing lifetime. “I was always up front in terms of where I come from, being from Oakland where I made some mistakes I don’t want Devin to make. I made some mistakes at 22, 23, where Devin is now and hopefully he don’t ever have to make those mistakes I’ve made. Those aren’t the paths he wants to go down. I have a felony on my record that goes back to 1992. A federal drug conviction that I served time on.

“I was open and honest to our partners at Top Rank. Lou DiBella with DiBella Entertainment (Kambosos’s promoter) knew about this as well. We were hoping to get the support from the Australian government pertaining to it. Hopefully that will happen in the next day or two, a couple of weeks before the fight that I will be able to go.”

The 23-year-old Haney attempts the fifth defense of the WBC title he has held since 2019. A win over Kambosos (20-0, 10KOs) will make him the youngest male fighter to claim undisputed championship status in the four-belt era.

He will be doing so in his opponent’s home country and without anyone who has regularly worked his corner during his current title reign. Ben Davison, a UK-based coach who has worked with Haney for his past several fights, is also currently sorting out visa issues due to completely unrelated matters that currently restrict his ability to travel.

Kambosos attempts the first defense of his lineal championship and unified title reign following a split decision win over then-unbeaten champ Teofimo Lopez Jr. (16-1, 12KOs) last November 27 in New York City. The unbeaten Australian—who turns 29 on June 14—aimed for a homecoming fight for his first title defense, having fought on the road for his past seven fights upon transitioning from prospect to contender and eventually to champion.

Original plans called for Kambosos to face former three-division titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko (16-2, 11KOs). The fight was never formally announced, with Lomachenko having to bow out once Martial Law in his native Ukraine required him to join his nation’s military force to serve in defense of his homeland against Russia in the ongoing war.

Haney was eager all along to face Kambosos for all the marbles. The Bay Area-bred fighter—who now lives and trains in Las Vegas—called for the fight immediately after his most recent title defense when he outpointed Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz last December 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in his adopted hometown.

The fight made its way back around, though offered in a take-or-leave-it scenario which also called for Haney to commit to a multi-fight co-promotional deal with DiBella Entertainment and Top Rank. Part of the deal also leaves Haney hamstrung to a one-way rematch clause in the event he beats Kambosos, who would have the right to call for a second fight to also take place in Australia.

For now, the only concern is for the younger Haney to have as close to a level playing field as the situation will allow.

“They weren’t willing to give up anything,” noted Bill Haney. “It’s a one-way rematch clause and they want it in Australia. Devin doesn’t have a rematch in the contract. With this, me not being able to go over, it changes the dynamic of what we agreed to. But we are men of our word. We have this fight right now. The most important thing is to get through this fight right now, that we have in front of us. Get through that with him and then speak to the government.

“Hopefully in the next couple of days or even during the rematch I will be allowed to be let over. They have a character committee or something like that, the Australian government that they overlook people on the fence, that maybe they can accept in. They have a character committee meeting on it. I’m as optimistic about the fight happening when they said it wasn’t happening. I’m just as optimistic about being allowed over there. In all actuality, we have to prepare for me not being there.”

The deal is with Haney and Kambosos isn’t the outside intangibles. Everybody thinks that the judges or fact that they’re fighting in Australia is gonna change things. Kambosos came to America and beat the guy that beat the guy. He 100% deserves to take it back home. He fought his ass off against teo. He has the belts. It’s his call. Let’s not pretend that bad decisions don’t happen here too. (Even when it’s against 2 American fighters).

As far as the fight goes, I’m not totally convinced Haney has enough to keep George off of him through 12. Haney is a pure boxer and probably the more skilled. But, Kambosos has the goods. Anyone saying otherwise isn’t being honest. This is haney’s highest competition. People are sleeping on Kambosos again. Nobody spars pacquiao camp after camp unless they have the goods. He’s no chump and if he takes Haney into deep waters he could totally drown him.

Funny, I do believe that Haney should win this one but I bet that the rematch will be much more exciting. Working with Joel Judah could be a blessing for Haney.

Funny how Kambosos completely stole Teofimos limelight. The amount of attention that Teo is getting now is equal to the attention a past prime gatekeeper would recieve.

Why does it only seem to be in boxing where there is always VISA issues.

1023266 wrote: ↑19 May 2022, 06:03 The deal is with Haney and Kambosos isn’t the outside intangibles. Everybody thinks that the judges or fact that they’re fighting in Australia is gonna change things. Kambosos came to America and beat the guy that beat the guy. He 100% deserves to take it back home. He fought his ass off against teo. He has the belts. It’s his call. Let’s not pretend that bad decisions don’t happen here too. (Even when it’s against 2 American fighters).

As far as the fight goes, I’m not totally convinced Haney has enough to keep George off of him through 12. Haney is a pure boxer and probably the more skilled. But, Kambosos has the goods. Anyone saying otherwise isn’t being honest. This is haney’s highest competition. People are sleeping on Kambosos again. Nobody spars pacquiao camp after camp unless they have the goods. He’s no chump and if he takes Haney into deep waters he could totally drown him.

We'll see. I think Haney will outbox Kambosis to a UD, even in Austrailia. He is a much better boxer I think.

the key for haney is to keep to his boxing and not get drawn into a dogfight. if he accomplishes that he should get the better of it

Jury is still out.
Close fight, leaning toward Kambosos.
If he can do that for 12 rounds against Teo, he should beat Haney.

+135 Kambosos
- 176 Haney

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 22:59 the key for haney is to keep to his boxing and not get drawn into a dogfight. if he accomplishes that he should get the better of it

Only thing that concerns me with Haney is how he has defensive lapses late in fights. In this situation he can't let that happen and let Kambosos have any type of momentum going into the later rounds.

I still think Haney will outbox Kambosos, but Kambosos will get the gift decision.

Judging Panel Revealed; Doesn’t Include An Australian Or An American

Devin Haney has secured the entirely neutral panel of judges he and his team understandably sought for his showdown with George Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos’ home country of Australia.

Boxing Scene has learned that none of the three judges assigned to their June 5 fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne are from Australia. There isn’t an American judge on the panel, either, but multiple sources have confirmed that Haney’s handlers had two unidentified judges replaced from the original panel picked to score their fight.

Hungary’s Zoltan Enyedi, Poland’s Pawel Kardyni and Canada’s Benoit Roussel have been approved by both camps and the Australian Boxing Commission as the judges for this 12-round, 135-pound championship bout between Kambosos and Haney. Panama’s Hector Afu will serve as the referee for a main event ESPN will air live the night of June 4 in the United States.

Foxtel Main Event will distribute Kambosos-Haney as the headliner of a pay-per-view show the afternoon of June 5 in Australia.

None of those three judges nor Afu have previously worked fights involving Kambosos or Haney. Afu (WBC), Enyedi (WBO), Kardyni (WBA) and Roussel (IBF) were suggested by each of the four major sanctioning organizations that will have titles at stake in the Kambosos-Haney fight for approval by both camps and the commission.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 05:08 Judging Panel Revealed; Doesn’t Include An Australian Or An American

Devin Haney has secured the entirely neutral panel of judges he and his team understandably sought for his showdown with George Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos’ home country of Australia.

Boxing Scene has learned that none of the three judges assigned to their June 5 fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne are from Australia. There isn’t an American judge on the panel, either, but multiple sources have confirmed that Haney’s handlers had two unidentified judges replaced from the original panel picked to score their fight.

Hungary’s Zoltan Enyedi, Poland’s Pawel Kardyni and Canada’s Benoit Roussel have been approved by both camps and the Australian Boxing Commission as the judges for this 12-round, 135-pound championship bout between Kambosos and Haney. Panama’s Hector Afu will serve as the referee for a main event ESPN will air live the night of June 4 in the United States.

Foxtel Main Event will distribute Kambosos-Haney as the headliner of a pay-per-view show the afternoon of June 5 in Australia.

None of those three judges nor Afu have previously worked fights involving Kambosos or Haney. Afu (WBC), Enyedi (WBO), Kardyni (WBA) and Roussel (IBF) were suggested by each of the four major sanctioning organizations that will have titles at stake in the Kambosos-Haney fight for approval by both camps and the commission.

I wonder if those four gentlemen are going to take funds from team Haney or team Kambosos or both. Will they recieve australian dollars? American or perhaps euroes?

Just what boxing needs another BS nonsense decision based on the funds provided for the officials.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 05:08 Judging Panel Revealed; Doesn’t Include An Australian Or An American

Devin Haney has secured the entirely neutral panel of judges he and his team understandably sought for his showdown with George Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos’ home country of Australia.

Boxing Scene has learned that none of the three judges assigned to their June 5 fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne are from Australia. There isn’t an American judge on the panel, either, but multiple sources have confirmed that Haney’s handlers had two unidentified judges replaced from the original panel picked to score their fight.

Hungary’s Zoltan Enyedi, Poland’s Pawel Kardyni and Canada’s Benoit Roussel have been approved by both camps and the Australian Boxing Commission as the judges for this 12-round, 135-pound championship bout between Kambosos and Haney. Panama’s Hector Afu will serve as the referee for a main event ESPN will air live the night of June 4 in the United States.

Foxtel Main Event will distribute Kambosos-Haney as the headliner of a pay-per-view show the afternoon of June 5 in Australia.

None of those three judges nor Afu have previously worked fights involving Kambosos or Haney. Afu (WBC), Enyedi (WBO), Kardyni (WBA) and Roussel (IBF) were suggested by each of the four major sanctioning organizations that will have titles at stake in the Kambosos-Haney fight for approval by both camps and the commission.

Makes sense to have neutral judges but it doesn’t always mean there will be good judging. Not saying this is the case in every fight but the Sauerlands brought in foreign judges for years in Germany and they consistently provided questionable hometown scoring in the 1980s-mid-2000s. Texas has had many issues with scoring over the years without using Texas judges. Still, makes sense to have neutral country judges for appearance sake

giacomino wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 14:40

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 05:08 Judging Panel Revealed; Doesn’t Include An Australian Or An American

Devin Haney has secured the entirely neutral panel of judges he and his team understandably sought for his showdown with George Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos’ home country of Australia.

Boxing Scene has learned that none of the three judges assigned to their June 5 fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne are from Australia. There isn’t an American judge on the panel, either, but multiple sources have confirmed that Haney’s handlers had two unidentified judges replaced from the original panel picked to score their fight.

Hungary’s Zoltan Enyedi, Poland’s Pawel Kardyni and Canada’s Benoit Roussel have been approved by both camps and the Australian Boxing Commission as the judges for this 12-round, 135-pound championship bout between Kambosos and Haney. Panama’s Hector Afu will serve as the referee for a main event ESPN will air live the night of June 4 in the United States.

Foxtel Main Event will distribute Kambosos-Haney as the headliner of a pay-per-view show the afternoon of June 5 in Australia.

None of those three judges nor Afu have previously worked fights involving Kambosos or Haney. Afu (WBC), Enyedi (WBO), Kardyni (WBA) and Roussel (IBF) were suggested by each of the four major sanctioning organizations that will have titles at stake in the Kambosos-Haney fight for approval by both camps and the commission.

Makes sense to have neutral judges but it doesn’t always mean there will be good judging. Not saying this is the case in every fight but the Sauerlands brought in foreign judges for years in Germany and they consistently provided questionable hometown scoring in the 1980s-mid-2000s. Texas has had many issues with scoring over the years without using Texas judges. Still, makes sense to have neutral country judges for appearance sake

i still cant believe fans buy into the idea that it's where the judge is from that matters

its all about who the a-side is. absolutely tons of crap homer cards are turned in by foriegn judges

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 17:36

giacomino wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 14:40

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑28 May 2022, 05:08 Judging Panel Revealed; Doesn’t Include An Australian Or An American

Devin Haney has secured the entirely neutral panel of judges he and his team understandably sought for his showdown with George Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos’ home country of Australia.

Boxing Scene has learned that none of the three judges assigned to their June 5 fight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne are from Australia. There isn’t an American judge on the panel, either, but multiple sources have confirmed that Haney’s handlers had two unidentified judges replaced from the original panel picked to score their fight.

Hungary’s Zoltan Enyedi, Poland’s Pawel Kardyni and Canada’s Benoit Roussel have been approved by both camps and the Australian Boxing Commission as the judges for this 12-round, 135-pound championship bout between Kambosos and Haney. Panama’s Hector Afu will serve as the referee for a main event ESPN will air live the night of June 4 in the United States.

Foxtel Main Event will distribute Kambosos-Haney as the headliner of a pay-per-view show the afternoon of June 5 in Australia.

None of those three judges nor Afu have previously worked fights involving Kambosos or Haney. Afu (WBC), Enyedi (WBO), Kardyni (WBA) and Roussel (IBF) were suggested by each of the four major sanctioning organizations that will have titles at stake in the Kambosos-Haney fight for approval by both camps and the commission.

Makes sense to have neutral judges but it doesn’t always mean there will be good judging. Not saying this is the case in every fight but the Sauerlands brought in foreign judges for years in Germany and they consistently provided questionable hometown scoring in the 1980s-mid-2000s. Texas has had many issues with scoring over the years without using Texas judges. Still, makes sense to have neutral country judges for appearance sake

i still cant believe fans buy into the idea that it's where the judge is from that matters

its all about who the a-side is. absolutely tons of crap homer cards are turned in by foriegn judges

True. We've all learned that from Canelo's fights.

Fight Week!!

Press Release | Kambosos – Haney Fight Week Kicks Off In Melbourne

Kambosos-Haney undisputed lightweight championship battle goes down @ Marvel Stadium and LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ SATURDAY @ 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Six days before undefeated lightweight champions George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney fight for the undisputed crown at Marvel Stadium, they came face-to-face for the first time. For more than five minutes, the two combatants talked trash. They did not come to blows, but the mental warfare was in full effect.

Fight week kicked off in style with an opening press conference at Culture Kings in Downtown Melbourne.

Unified champion Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) and WBC king Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) are set to do battle in one of the biggest boxing matches in Australian history. The Down Under showdown will be broadcast live in the United States in prime time this Saturday (Sunday local time) on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

This is some of what Kambosos and Haney had to say during a manic Monday in Melbourne.

George Kambosos Jr.

“This is amazing. This is what the sport is about, and I made this happen. I chose the biggest fights possible. I took out Teofimo Lopez. Obviously, this guy… I was prepared to fight Lomachenko. That was done. He couldn’t make it because of the {Ukraine} war. No problem, Devin, wanna step up? And he did, OK, but he was forced into this. He’s not my mandatory.”

“I could’ve fought anyone. I could’ve fought the garbageman outside if I wanted to, but I chose you. You’re not my mandatory. I picked you. You’re here, and everything is a go for Sunday.”

“I became more obsessed. I became champion and realized I loved this sport more than anything in the world. I’m very blessed to be here. I made this happen. If it wasn’t for me, this wouldn’t be happening today here, and bring it on.”

“It’s great to be back home. Five years of hard work. Everyone knows the story. I had to go through every bit of adversity. I had to earn my belts, earned them the hardest way. Not like this guy. He got given a present. I earned mine. I took the best out. It is great to be back home, great to have the support. I know that stadium will be buzzing with my support, but I just love to fight. Me and him in there, in that ring. It’s a great moment for Australian boxing, and I am very excited.”

Devin Haney

“The government would not have put up the money if it wasn’t against me. Me or Loma. And then Loma couldn’t fight, so then you had to pick me.”

“What was the point of even coming if you didn’t bring the belts? Aren’t we fighting for the belts? Didn’t the government put up the money for all the belts and didn’t the media come out because this is an undisputed fight between two champions? Why wouldn’t you bring the belts? Fu*king clown.”

“This means everything. It’s a dream come true of mine since I was a young kid. This is the biggest achievement of boxing. I can’t wait for June 5 to come.”

“There’s nothing he can do in the ring that’s better than me, and I will show it on fight night. I take nothing away from him. I think that he’s a good fighter, but I just think I’m on a whole different level.”

“This fight feels different for me. It’s something that I can really get up for. I just can’t wait.”

Browne Vs Fa & Moloney Vs. Palicte Added To Kambosos Vs. Haney Undercard

Australian two-time bantamweight world title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Moloney and New Zealand-born heavyweight contender Junior Fa hope to showcase their talents for the home region fans at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, on the undercard of the George Kambosos Jr.-Devin Haney undisputed lightweight world title showdown. The Kambosos-Haney world championship event is projected to be one of the biggest boxing events ever on Australian soil.

Moloney will battle former world title challenger Aston Palicte in a 10-rounder for the vacant WBO International bantamweight title, while Fa will take on Australian fan-favorite Lucas Browne in a 10-rounder for the WBA Oceania and IBF International heavyweight title belts.

Kambosos-Haney, Moloney-Palicte, Fa-Browne, and an eight-round heavyweight fight between Hemi Ahio (18-0, 13 KOs), Auckland, New Zealand, and Joe Jones (13-4, 10 KOs), of Jersey City. N.J, will be televised LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ Saturday, June 4, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

In a swing bout, cruiserweight David Nyika (2-0, 2 KOs) will be showcased in 6/4-rounder against an opponent to be named. Nyika, from Hamilton, New Zealand, captured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. A beloved sporting hero in his country, Nyika has earned his stripes as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Following the main event, streaming live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+, world-rated junior bantamweight contender Andrew Moloney (23-2, 15 KOs) will battle Nicaragua’s Alexander Espinoza (21-3-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder, and Devin Haney Promotions-signed junior middleweight prospect Amari Jones (5-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ankush Hooda (3-0-1, 1 KO) in a scheduled six-rounder.

“When it comes to presenting an undercard worthy of its main event — the battle between world champions George Kambosos Jr. and Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight world championship — it’s Aussie Rules. Australian fight fans in Marvel Stadium and viewers around the globe will be treated to a feast of exciting all-action bouts, many featuring contenders and prospects from Australia, as well as New Zealand. And those not televised live on ESPN will be streamed to the U.S. on ESPN+,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. “We are prepared to make history in Melbourne.”

Browne (30-3, 26 KOs) won the WBA Oceania title with a knockout victory over Faiga Opelu in December and is a former WBA world titlist. The 32-year-old Fa (19-1, 10 KOs) is looking to get his career back on track after losing to former world champion Joseph Parker in his last outing in February 2021. Fa has notable wins over American veterans Devin Vargas and Dominick Guinn.

“I would love nothing more than to fight for another world title, and Junior Fa is standing in my way,” Browne said. “If I can put him away early, that will send a message to the boxing world that I am far from finished. He has only lost once in his career, to Joseph Parker. I plan to hand him his second defeat.”

“I am 100 percent back myself, but I’m not taking Lucas lightly, as he is a former world champ and was stopped by Paul Gallen with some illegal blows, so I don’t count that as a loss for him,” Fa said. “He has his power, and we saw him use it to KO his last opponent. I’ll be getting the best Lucas Browne for this fight as I’m in the way of him being a contender again. It’s a huge opportunity for him and it’s going to be a tough fight.”

Moloney (23-2, 18 KOs) has re-ignited his career since an October 2020 knockout loss to pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue. He defeated top contender Joshua Greer Jr. last August and made his 2022 debut in April with a one-sided decision over Francisco Javier Pedroza. He is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBC and No. 3 by WBO. Palicte (28-4-1, 23 KOs), from Bago City, Philippines, twice challenged for world titles at junior bantamweight and has won three consecutive fights. He is world-rated No. 6 by the IBF.

Moloney said, “I am grateful to Top Rank and Lou DiBella for the opportunity to be part of the biggest event in Australian boxing history. It is a dream come true. I’m expecting a tough fight against a former world title challenger in Aston Palicte, as he has shown that he can perform at the top level. I will be coming with everything I have to deliver the impressive performance of my career. Get ready for Mayhem!”

The undercard, which will be streamed in the U.S. exclusively on ESPN+, features three highly touted Ferocious Promotions prospects: Terry Nickolas, Isaias Sette and Hussein Fayad. Nickolas (2-1, 2 KOs), from Sydney, takes a step up in opposition experience when he rumbles with Lachlan Higgins (7-4-1, 2 KOs), from Mornington, Australia, in a six-round junior middleweight bout. Junior middleweight Sette and junior lightweight Fayad, both from Sydney, will be making their pro debuts in four-round bouts. Sette will fight Melbourne-born knockout artist Luke Gersbeck (2-0, 2 KOs), while Fayad will take on Pom Thanawut Phetkum (1-1), from Springvale, Australia. Taylah Robertson (4-1, 1 KO), from Brisbane, Australia, and Sarah Higginson (3-0-1, 1 KO), from Perth, Australia, will face off in a five-round junior bantamweight battle. Both fighters enter this bout having won their previous title fights. Robertson scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Kylie Fulmer in their Australia Female bantamweight title fight while Higginson scored her first knockout, stopping Danni Mace in the fourth round to capture the vacant Australian National Boxing Federation Australasian Female bantamweight title.