Haney pummels Kambosos in rematch

In a rematch, American Devin Haney upset Australian George Kambosos with a devastating right hand to retain his title as the undisputed lightweight world champion.

Devin Haney wasn't looking for this fight. Even yet, he was forced to accept it when he fought George Kambosos Jr. on Saturday from Melbourne, Australia, for the IBF, WBA (super), WBC, and WBO championships. The only reason this fight took place is that Kambosos' loss of the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles in the first fight triggered a rematch clause. The highly regarded 23-year-old successfully defended his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts by unanimous decision, with one judge scoring the contest 119-109 in his favor and the other two both scoring it 118-110.

Kambosos appeared and adopted various stances to mislead Haney. Haney needed two rounds to learn the time and rhythm of Kambosos. For the final 10 rounds, Haney reiterated what he had done previously. He battled primarily by squatting in the middle of the ring, launching strong shots one after the other while sitting on his fists. The attack stopped Kambosos, who appeared baffled and had a backup plan after Haney neutralized the first one, causing him to lose to "The Dream" for the second time in a row.

Haney has a lot of choices. He might increase his weight to 140 or hold steady at 135 and wait for contests with Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, or Vasiliy Lomachenko.

“We’re taking on all-comers,” Haney said in his post-fight interview. “No matter who it is, we want to fight the best fighters in the world. I believe I’m the best fighter in the world. Whoever it is next, bring ‘em on."

The American is only the seventh boxer to simultaneously hold all four championships from the top sanctioning organization, the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO. He accomplished the task and became the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in 1990 and the first in the four-belt era that started in 2004 when he defeated Kambosos unanimously in June. He once more employed his incredible speed, instinct, and unrelenting left jab, but this time he also applied powerful right-hand strikes that left the Australian in a state of bloody chaos.

"I knew he would be looking for the jab, so I wanted to show other tools in my arsenal," said the San Francisco-born fighter after pummeling Kambosos, who did well to still be there after 12 rounds.

"My dad (trainer Bill Haney) wanted me to hook more, but I feel the right hand is what won me the fight.

"He's a warrior, I take my hat off to George Kambosos,"

With the win, Haney's incredible record improved to 29-0 with 15 KOs while Kambosos, who is now 21-2, suffered only his second loss. The Australian said he could retire if he lost the bout, and it now seems unlikely that he will be given another chance at the world title. After the bout, he put an end to any retirement discussion.

"He's a great fighter. He gave me a boxing lesson the first time but I came here and gave it my all. It is what it is," he said.

"It's not the end, I'll be back," added Kambosos. "I feel that this was a much better fight than the first fight."