Although he has only ever lost to the very best fighters in the world, there are only so many times tough Aussie George Kambosos can keep going back to the well to look for something that isn’t there.
He tried again last night, against IBF junior-welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins, and once again Kambosos, now 22-4 (10), was found wanting. Not only that, he was hurt early by Hitchins, dominated for much of the fight, and eventually stopped by a body shot in round eight.
It was, for Kambosos, a different kind of defeat. For all his bravery, this was not a case of him being outboxed for 12 rounds – or 24 across two fights – by the fleet-footed and jab-happy Devin Haney, nor was it the same as getting methodically taken apart by the masterful Vasiliy Lomachenko. Instead, last night’s defeat to Hitchins, a champion on the rise, served as an indication, perhaps, that Kambosos’ time has now passed.
That the loss took place in Madison Square Garden, the same venue in which Kambosos beat Teofimo Lopez in 2021, only added to the sense of time having passed. After all, it was against Lopez in New York that Kambosos experienced inarguably his greatest night, when winning the WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles in quite the upset. Three years on, however, Kambosos is 32 of age, has lost four of his last six fights, and is suddenly running out of options.
“It’s a tough game but one game that I have always loved no matter what,” he wrote on social media this morning. “I look at myself in the mirror and I know that I always believed in myself, took on the absolute best, and always chased greatness. A great trophy cabinet, a hell of a resume, so much love and support from the fans worldwide and a loving family. Win, lose or draw I always stepped up, that’s all people can ask from a fighter.
“Congrats Richardson Hitchins. It was your night, well deserved, respect and God bless your future career. Thanks to all the boxing fans for all the love and support. Just a warrior from Sydney that chased it all. God bless.”
Taken at face value, it would appear a retirement speech in all but name. Yet there remains just enough ambiguity in that message to leave the door open to a change of heart should Kambosos be that way inclined. Also, seldom is a boxer in the right frame of mind to make big decisions immediately after a fight.
That said, if Kambosos has indeed decided that enough is enough, he will leave the sport with his head held high and will be remembered more for what happened at MSG in 2021 than what unfolded in the same ring last night.