George Kambosos Jr. once shocked the world, but on June 14, he’ll walk into The Theater at Madison Square Garden not as the hunter, but as the heavy underdog. The former unified lightweight champion takes on unbeaten IBF light welterweight titleholder Richardson Hitchins, a man looking to make a statement in his first title defense.
Kambosos hasn’t seen the winner’s circle often in recent years. He’s dropped three of his last five, including two one-sided decisions to Devin Haney and a knockout loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. While his upset over Teofimo Lopez in 2021 remains his defining moment, many now see it as lightning in a bottle. His resume since has done little to inspire belief that he can recapture that magic.
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Hitchins, on the other hand, is being groomed as a future star. The Brooklyn native is known for his slick boxing and measured approach, though not exactly a knockout artist, his ring IQ and defensive sharpness make him a tough puzzle to crack. Some critics argue that Hitchins is playing it safe by choosing Kambosos for his first defense instead of a more dangerous challenge like Subriel Matias, but the New Yorker insists he’s on another level. “I’m not small like Lomachenko, and I’m faster,” Hitchins declared during a fiery press conference.
In typical boxing fashion, the verbal sparring has included a high-stakes side bet. Hitchins proposed a $50,000 wager on the outcome of the fight, which Kambosos quickly accepted. The two jawed back and forth about paydays and prestige, but it’s clear both understand what’s at stake - credibility, relevance, and the chance to write the next chapter in their careers.
So for Kambosos, it’s more than just a fight. It’s a chance to prove he wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Will he succeed?
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