Philippines, 02 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Loma Versus The Emperor: Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. Announce Lightweight World Title Showdown

PhilBoxing.com





Lomachenko-Kambosos will be broadcast in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

PERTH, Australia (Jan. 30, 2024) —A new 135-pound king will be crowned Down Under.

Three-division world champion Vasiliy "Loma" Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) and former unified lightweight world champion George "Ferocious" Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) will collide for the vacant IBF lightweight world title on Sunday, May 12, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

Lomachenko and Kambosos hosted a virtual press conference Tuesday evening to formally announce their showdown, with Kambosos holding court in Perth and Lomachenko participating via satellite from Los Angeles.

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, TEG Sport and Duco Events, Lomachenko-Kambosos and two additional world title fights will be broadcast in Australia on Foxtel, Main Event, Kayo, and in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. The two additional world title fights will be announced in the coming weeks.

At the press conference, this is what the fighters, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, and Lou DiBella had to say:

Vasiliy Lomachenko

“I’m very happy to come back. I’m very happy to be fighting there. This is the right fight because it’s a chance to be a world champion again. And I’ve never been to Australia. I’ve always wanted to go, and it’s a good opportunity.”

“Right now, my goal is to become a world champion again. After that, I can start thinking about becoming undisputed.”

“Our fight with Devin Haney were two different fights. There were two different styles. If we talk about my fight with Haney, I didn’t lose that fight, in my opinion. If we talk about Haney-Kambosos, Kambosos had two chances and he lost.”

"We only have one world champion in the Ukraine with Oleksandr Usyk. On May 12, we can have two world champions in our country."

"I respect George Kambosos because he never gives up during a fight. It will be a very interesting fight because we have two different styles, and styles make fights."

George Kambosos Jr.

“I never step away from a challenge. I always want to fight the best. And Vasiliy Lomachenko is a guy we have looked at for a very long time. This guy is a legend. The respect we have for him is huge. So, to have this official now is extraordinary. I’m very motivated for this fight. I’m very excited, and I can’t wait.”

“This fight rejuvenates my career. This gives me my redemption. Yes, I’ve won the big fights and I’ve lost the big fights. But for me, this fight is about legacy. Two warriors coming together for a big fight. Our careers are on the line here. Legacy is on the line here. And I believe this is my destiny.”

"Yes, I lost to Devin Haney, but you {Lomachenko} had your chance with Teofimo Lopez and you didn’t take your chance. I did."

"As Lomachenko said, 'styles make fights.' Expect an action fight. No stepping back. Two warriors are coming to fight."

Bob Arum

“Vasiliy Lomachenko was the greatest amateur fighter in the history of boxing. He had 397 amateur fights and lost only one. As a professional, he’s won world titles from 126 to 135. He is one of the greatest masters of the sport of boxing. George Kambosos is a fighter who always is in the fight giving his all and putting on splendid performances. The people in Perth, Australia, and the people around the world are in for a really big treat when these two great fighters meet in the ring.”

Lou DiBella

“Lomachenko is an all-time great. He’s already earned entrance into the Hall of Fame. Kambosos is a former world champion who’s knocked off one of the best fighters in the world in Teofimo Lopez. He’s only lost twice to the same man, who’s one of the best fighters in the world in Devin Haney. And now he’s bringing a legend to Perth. It’s a great fight. It’s a great event."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • GUSTAVO TRUJILLO CONTINUES HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENT WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND TKO
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Boxing Insider Promotions Brings Regional Card to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, June 13
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • UNBEATEN CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE RETURNS TO FACE JING AGUAN IN A LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT HEADLINING SANMAN 101
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Lebosada, Sia rule DSA Open golf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
    , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.