Australian boxer George Kambosos Jr. is the unified lightweight champion after beating Teofimo Lopez on November 28 (AEDT).
Kambosos pulled off the huge upset victory in Lopez's backyard to take his belts - just like he said he would.
The Sydneysider is now targetting a blockbuster title unification bout on home turf, with Devin Haney the likely opponent.
Let's take a look at Kambosos' road to the world championship.
George Kambosos Jr. vs. Teofimo Lopez (20-0)
Most bookmakers didn't give Kambosos much of a hope going into the fight with the unbeaten 24-year-old, but the Aussie had a plan.
Kambosos and his team did everything they could to anger the hard-hitting champion in order to get Lopez to come out swinging for the fences.
Lopez obliged and Kambosos was able to weather the early storm before stunning the boxing world with a knockdown late in the first round.
From there, Kambosos fought a near-perfect, although he did hit the canvas when Lopez caught him in the 10th round.
In the end, Kambosos was awarded a split decision, but most viewers felt the Aussie had done enough to get the nod from all three judges.
George Kambosos Jr. vs. Lee Selby (19-0)
Kambosos won a split decision over Lee Selby in London on October 31 last year.
It was a close bout going all 12 rounds, but Kambosos just had too much power and confidence when they traded punches in the middle of the ring.
The victory earned Kambosos a mandatory shot at Teoifimo Lopez's lightweight IBF title and moved his record to 19-0.
George Kambosos Jr. vs. Mickey Bey (18-0)
The Australian defeated former world champon Mickey Bey by split decision at Madison Square Garden on December 15, 2019.
It was a close fight, which went the distance in all ten rounds. Kambosos made himself more superior in the judges' eyes when he knocked down Bey in the final round.
Australian lightweight George Kambosos Jr. scored his biggest victory, a split decision over former lightweight titlist Mickey Bey, who he dropped in the 10th and final round of a pretty good fight. Scores: Kambosos 97-92, 96-93 and Bey 95-94. https://t.co/HH6cRiH2dV
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) December 14, 2019
George Kambosos Jr. vs Richard Pena (17-0)
This is the boxer's only fight in Greece so far, with Kambosos extremely proud of his Greek and Spartan roots.
The lightweight would win by TKO over Venezuelan Richard Pena in round six at the Galasti Olympic Hall in Athens.
In an interview with Greek newspaper Neos Kosmos, Kambosos expressed how proud he is to be of Greek decent:
"We come from a fighting nation. We invented boxing. It’s in our blood," he said.
"We deserve to have a world champion. I’m the guy that is going to win that world title and bring the honour and pride back to this great country. Obviously Australia as well, I’m a very proud Greek Australian I represent both fighting nations."
George Kambosos Jr. vs Ray Perez (16-0)
Kambosos fought on the undercard of Pacquiao vs. Broner on January 2019 at MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas.
He would defeat Ray Perez by a unanimous decision, outclassing the American in all eight rounds.
George Kambosos Jr. last five fights summary
| Opponent | Result | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teofimo Lopez | Won by decision | Nov 27 2021 | Madison Square Garden, New York, USA |
| Lee Selby | Won by decision | Oct 31 2020 | Wembley Stadium, London, England |
| Mickey Bey | Won by decision | Dec 14 2019 | Madison Square Garden, New York, USA |
| Richard Pena | Won by TKO | Jun 7 2019 | Galatsi Olympic Hall, Athens, Greece |
| Rey Perez | Won by decision | Jan 19 2019 | MGM Grand Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USA |