Weekend Review: George Kambosos Jr.’s limitations exposed again
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
George Kambosos Jr.
Kambosos is a winner here because he was awarded a majority decision victory over Maxi Hughes on Saturday in Shawnee, Oklahoma, which guarantees the Aussie at least one more big fight. Many will say he didn’t earn it, however. Hughes, a relative unknown from England, befuddled the former 135-pound champion with his clever counterpunching and footwork for most of the fight, which evidently led many to believe he had done enough to score an upset. That’s why the announcement of the decision was greeted with boos by an incredulous crowd and derision around the world. Nevertheless, Kambosos, who was coming off back-to-back losses to undisputed champ Devin Haney, is in position to fight for a vacant title assuming Haney moves up to 140 pounds. He said he’d like to fight another former beltholder, Vasiliy Lomachenko. That would be his last hurrah. We must give Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs) credit for his upset of Teofimo Lopez in 2021 even though Lopez fought with a dangerous health condition. However, in three fights after that, he has proved to be ordinary fighter. He can’t beat Lomachenko let alone the likes of Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis. The disparity in skill would be too vast. The guess here is that Kambosos will be remembered as a one-hit wonder.
RABBIT PUNCHES
You have to feel for Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs). The 33-year-old southpaw received the opportunity of lifetime when he was selected to fight Kambosos and then did enough in the ring to have his hand raised. Alas, the judges stole what would’ve been a life-changing victory. That’s why he was so crestfallen after the fact. He’s a good fighter. My hope is that he made a strong enough impression to get another, even more lucrative opportunity. He earned it. … I have no idea what Kambosos-Hughes judge Josef Mason was watching. He had Kambosos winning 117-111, nine rounds to three. That simply didn’t reflect what happened in the ring. I won’t call for his head but he needs to go back to judging school before he works another important fight. … Rising young fighters generally accomplish one of two things in their fights: They make a statement or they have a valuable learning experience. Keyshawn Davis had the latter in his near-shutout decision over Francesco Patera on the Kambosos-Hughes card. Davis wasn’t spectacular but he dominated a good, durable opponent and was never in any kind of trouble. In fact, Patera could barely touch him. In the end, the fight was forgettable but Davis will be a better boxer because of it. …
ESPN reported that Haney plans to give up his undisputed 135-pound championship and move up to 140, at which he would face WBC beltholder Regis Prograis. Then, if emerges victorious in that fight, he would target Lopez, the new WBO champ, in what could amount to a super fight. I have no idea whether Haney’s plan will come to fruition but it certainly sounds intriguing. I would rather he fight Stevenson and/or Davis before he moves up in weight but it’s not as if he would be pursuing pushover opponents. Plus, the scramble to fill four titles at 135 would be a lot of fun given the talent at the top of the division. … Junior lightweight Edy Valencia Mercado of Mexico reportedly is in critical condition after his loss to George Acosta on Friday in Ontario, California. Our thoughts are with Mercado and those close to him.
