Philippines, 28 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Press Conference Notes: Vasiliy Lomachenko & George Kambosos Jr. Ready to Make Lightweight History in Perth Super Fight

PhilBoxing.com




Lomachenko-Kambosos headlines televised tripleheader from RAC Arena LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ SATURDAY @ 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

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




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 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.