George Kambosos Ready To Make a Big Splash in United States

Published Sat May 5, 2018, 8:24 AM

There’s a fine line between confident and cocky. Unbeaten lightweight up and comer George Kambosos Jr. walks it as brilliantly as a 24-year-old intent on taking over the world can.

Tonight, Sydney’s Kambosos makes his United States debut against journeyman Jose Forero, headlining a card at Foxwoods in Connecticut promoted by DiBella Entertainment. The opponent really doesn’t matter at this point. The point is being seen and getting the next chapter of his career off to a rousing start, and he’s ready to deliver, saying, “We’re looking forward to making a big impact on the American scene.”

Now spending his camps in Los Angeles, where he trains with Justin Fortune, Kambosos has sparred with the likes of Ray Beltran, Jose Ramirez and Manny Pacquiao, adding to his feeling that big things are on the way sooner rather than later.

“The confidence is there,” he said. “I truly believe it’s my time in the next 12 months. I will get my title shot and I will win the world title. I’m an Australian fighter with a Greek heritage and I’m very proud of that and I’m gonna show what this Aussie-Greek can do in America.”

That doesn’t mean he’s forgotten about his home country, where he built a 13-0 (7 KOs) record since turning pro in 2013. But after earning world rankings in the WBA and WBO, Kambosos and his team felt that setting up shop in the U.S. was the next step. A deal with DiBella Entertainment followed, and here he is.

“This is huge for everyone back home in Australia because they’ve got a serious, world-rated contender coming from home, 24 years of age, just signed to one of the biggest promoters in the world in Lou DiBella. And I’m making my American debut and I’m headlining the show to show the talent that I have and the confidence that DiBella Entertainment have in me as well. I’m looking forward to the challenge, I’m looking forward to making a huge statement and the pressure’s on my side, but that’s what I love. I love the pressure and it makes me a better fighter.”

He can talk a good game, but fortunately, he’s shown the fists to back it up thus far, so his confidence is well-placed. Add in an affable personality and an exciting style, and it’s clear that he has star potential. But will that all come together when he’s in with the 135-pound elite. In other words, he already has a world ranking, so he can get that call for a title fight at any time. Has he been tested enough for such a leap after less than 15 fights?

“Definitely,” Kambosos says without hesitation. “When I went those 12 rounds (against Brandon Ogilvie in December 2016), I beat the number 10 in the world in the WBA, and I didn’t just beat him, I beat him up. And in the fight after that (against Qamil Balla), in the co-main to Joseph Parker when he was the WBO world champion, I stole that show. I told everyone in the lead-up I was gonna steal the show, I prepared extremely hard, I fought a guy who was an Australian champ coming down from light welterweight to lightweight, and again, I didn’t just beat him, I beat him up. So we’re prepared to fight anyone DiBella puts in front of me. If this guy from Panama pulled out and they put in a world champion, we would be more than ready to fight a world champion. But I know Lou has an excellent plan for me, and a pathway to the world title in any of the sanctioning bodies, and I’m excited.”

And if he wins tonight and gets that phone call, is he in?

“On my side, I’m a hundred and ten percent in,” he said. “Obviously, it’s up to my promoter to make the final call, but on my side, mentally, I’m already a world champion in my head. It’s just a matter of time.”

Until that time comes, it should be a fun ride watching Kambosos get there. Why? Well, just let him tell you what to expect at Foxwoods when he fights Forero.

“Expect excitement, entertainment, a guy that puts it all on the line, action-packed from round one until whenever the fight ends,” he said. “They call me ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos, and that’s what they’re gonna see – a ferocious fight. There will be blood, there will be guts and there will be a knockout.”