Kambosos loses world lightweight titles; Filipino Palicte suffers TKO in third round in Melbourne

Over 41,000 boxing fans made a beeline to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne to witness lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr take on Devin Haney, an undefeated fighter with a Mayweatheresque defensive style fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to the main event; it was marred with dramas from Bill Haney (Devin’s trainer and Father) being granted a last minute visa to travel to Australia, and Kambosos having weigh in troubles and coming in 158 grams over the weight limit.

The fight was a historical unification fight as both fighters are undefeated and will consolidate and decide who is the undisputed lightweight champion with the winner walking away with the belts from five other organisations. For Filipino boxing fans, the name George Kombosos Jr may sound familiar, as George has been Manny Pacquiao’s main sparring partner since the Jeff Horn bout in Brisbane back in 2017. George has had over 250 rounds of sparring with Manny and was influential in getting Manny battle ready and destroying Lucas Matthyse in 2018.

With Kombosos being the hometown favourite, experts and boxing analysts were predicting that it would go to the judges and Haney did walk away with the victory. In the 6^th round, it looked like Kombosos was leading the fight as he was more active and initiating contact. However, as the fight progressed to the later rounds, Haney clawed his way back on points with precise jabs and counter punches; by the end of the 12 rounds, Haney’s hands were raised and declared the winner via unanimous decision.

Aston Palicte a Filipino boxer fought before the main event. Aussie Jason Moloney by TKO stopped Palicte with 26 seconds left in the 3^rd round. Aston has been a part of Pacquiao’s training camp along with Kombosos, Palicte is accompanied by his team with Coach Nonoy Neri.

During the post fight interview there was already mention of a rematch later in 2022 and it might even be back in Australia, which will give Kombosos a chance to reclaim his belts and once again be the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.