Photos Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
PERTH, Western Australia (May 9, 2024) —The fighter known simply as “Loma” hopes to add another belt to his extensive collection.
Ukrainian fighting legend Vasiliy Lomachenko will battle home country favorite “Ferocious” George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF lightweight world championship on Sunday, May 12, at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), the former three-weight world champion and pound-for-pound king of the ring, hopes to become a two-time lightweight world champion.Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs), a former lineal and unified lightweight king, looks to once again stake his claim as the sport’s top 135-pounder.
The event will be shown LIVE in prime time on Saturday, May 11 in the United States.
In a world championship special attraction, just before the main event, Great Britain’s WBA bantamweight world champion Nina Hughes (6-0, 2 KOs) makes her second world title defense against Australian former world champion Cherneka Johnson (15-2, 6 KOs).
The ESPN-televised broadcast kicks off with the return of Andrew Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs),who takes on Mexican former world champion Pedro Guevara (41-4-1, 22 KOs) for the vacant WBC Interim junior bantamweight championship.
Lomachenko-Kambosos, Hughes-Johnson and Moloney-Guevara will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
At Thursday’s press conference, Lomachenko and Kambosos played a game of mental warfare, as their faceoff lasted a cool 3 minutes, 12 seconds. It took event co-promoter Lou DiBella and veteran heavyweight Lucas Browne to separate the combatants.
Before the extended staredown, this is what the fighters and Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum had to say.
Vasiliy Lomachenko
“I’ve been in this sport for a long time. We are two professionals. We know boxing. We know strategy. It will be very, very interesting for both. It will be very, very interesting for all fans of boxing. Good luck. Good luck to both.”
“We have a fight. We prepared very hard. And like I said, it will be very interesting.”
“I’m just looking forward to the IBF title. I need to take my title, and then after that, I can think about my future.”
Bob Arum
“I’m looking forward to this. It should be a sold-out event, a great lightweight championship match. Vasiliy Lomachenko is a splendid tactician, and I enjoy watching him. George Kambosos is a real warrior. He comes to fight. He’s very exciting. This fight will be memorable, and I can’t wait to see it. And I know fans all over the world are looking forward to it.”
George Kambosos Jr.
“We were slated to possibly fight in 2019 when the legendary Hall of Famer Bob Arum said that a young guy from Australia called George Kambosos could come up against the then-king Lomachenko. Things obviously did not happen. Then I become the champion and Lomachenko was chasing me. We were very close. But it wasn’t meant to be. But, third time is lucky, and Sunday is when we do our battle.”
“I’m extremely confident. I bring that confidence from my preparation. I’ve had a tremendous training camp. The confidence is higher than ever. When I beat Lomachenko, there will be no more road for him to go. This is retirement for him.”
“I truly believe it. The way I’m sparring. The speed that I have. He’s never seen this kind of speed and explosive power. The will and the heart that I have. The desire I have to win this fight. I want this bad. I’ve prepared extremely hard for this fight. I’ve left no stone unturned. So, Sunday, you will all see.”
Andrew Moloney
“For both of us, this is probably the last shot at a world title. So, there is a lot on the line, and that’s why I prepared my absolute best.”
“It’s been four years since I lost my title, and it’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get back to this point. And it’s going to feel good to have that world title strapped around my waist.”
Pedro Guevara
“I’m grateful for this opportunity. So, I’m going to fight like it’s my last opportunity. He’s coming in good condition for this fight, and so am I. You’re going to see a great fight. Don’t forget my name because you’re going to have a new champion from Mexico.”
Nina Hughes
“The crowed may well be on her side, but at the end of the day, there’s only two of us in the ring. So, I’ve just got to put on a performance and do what I do best.”
“We’ve prepared for everything. We’ve prepared for all styles. So, whatever she brings, we’re prepared for it.”
Cherneka Johnson
“I’m grateful to be on this show. To fight for a world title here in my backyard is amazing.”
I’m expecting a fight. She’s a world champion for a reason. It’s going to be a hell of a fight. I think I’m going to be the bigger person in there on the night of the fight. I’m going to be a bit stronger than her. It’s going to be a banger.”
Saturday, May 11
ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr., 12 rounds, Vacant IBF Lightweight World Title
Nina Hughes vs. Cherneka Johnson, 10 Rounds, Hughes’ WBA Bantamweight World Title
Andrew Moloney vs. Pedro Guevara, 12 Rounds, Vacant WBC Interim Junior Bantamweight World Title
