George Kambosos Jr vows to make Madison Square Garden advantage count

Underdog George Kambosos Jr believes he has what it takes to dethrone IBF super-lightweight world champion Richardson Hitchins, as the Australian bids to extend his winning run inside Madison Square Garden this weekend.

The former unified 135lbs title-holder famously beat Teofimo Lopez in November 2021 but heads into his hugely-anticipated clash with unbeaten American champion Hitchins as a colossal 7/1 outsider.

Kambosos Jr's career-defining success over Lopez incidentally took place at the fabled New York venue, the same stage that he and Hitchins will share in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Australian had previously seen off Mickey Bey at the famous boxing institution a couple of years earlier too, and whilst many feel the 31-year-old will come a cropper this weekend, the fighter himself is adamant that he will depart MSG with his unbeaten record there still intact.

"As you know, I love that underdog role, but there are no maybes, I’m doing this!" he boldly predicted at the final press conference.

There’s no fake stuff. I'm going to this home in a familiar place where I’m 2-0 already - this is the trifecta, make no mistake about it.

- George Kambosos Jr

"Like Lenny (Wilson) said, the talk is finished and we don’t need to sit and talk. I’m coming here as the underdog and I’m coming here to win this fight.

"You have seen it before and I’m here to win this fight - whatever it takes there is no plan B!"

Tensions boiled over in the Big Apple on Thursday, with a scheduled face-off cancelled by promoter Eddie Hearn following a succession of altercations during the volatile press conference.

Lenny Wilson, Hitchins' trainer, at one stage lifted his stool and threatened to charge at Kambosos Jr and his team, whilst the brash American also flashed $50,000 in the face of the Aussie, demanding he agree to a substantial pre-fight bet.

Kambosos Jr his own however, firing insults back at the Brooklyn native and his team - even questioning his world championship credentials.

"Look he’s the one who is making statements and saying he’s going to knock me out and what not," he added.

"They are saying this and doing that, but we have our plans and have worked extremely hard in training camp - who knows maybe I will learn from him (Hitchins) and run the whole fight.

"I’ve seen it all at the highest level and have been at the pinnacle and he isn’t - when you fight the best and beat the best and lose to the best you’re still here.

"You know I can box and fight and dictate the fight to do whatever it takes. I can get knocked down and get back up again to win a championship fight.

"This warrior is still here back at his favorite home grounds to do the trifecta in a Matchroom show and I never lost in America or a Matchroom show. I don't plan on losing those records."

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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