It remains one of the most fascinating aspects of boxing. After their battle inside the ring is over, once-bitter rivals often become friends. Devin Haney and George Kambosos Jr., who fought two grueling 12-round bouts in 2022, are no exception. Both fights, held in Kambosos’ home country of Australia, ended in decisive defeats for the local fighter. Afterward, they each went their separate ways, forging new paths in their careers. However, over time, Haney and Kambosos Jr. have seemingly developed a mutual respect, occasionally engaging in friendly exchanges.

Their latest interaction highlights this newfound camaraderie. Ahead of their respective comeback fights, both Haney and Kambosos Jr. offered words of encouragement to each other. Looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Vasyl Lomachenko, Kambosos Jr. stepped into the ring last Saturday against Jake Wyllie. Meanwhile, after a year-long layoff, Haney is preparing for his return following his highly controversial bout against Ryan Garcia last April. Speculation is rife that Haney could finally secure a rematch with Garcia later this year to redeem himself from the setback he suffered. In challenging times like these, support from fellow fighters can be invaluable. And one of those voices of encouragement came from none other than Kambosos Jr.

Through a screenshot, DAZN shared the interesting interaction between Kambosos Jr. and Haney. The conversation took place just a day before Kambosos was going to fight last-minute replacement Jake Wyllie. Originally, he was scheduled to face Daud Yordan, but the Indonesian fighter was forced to withdraw because of medical reasons.

So showing his support, Devin Haney took to social media and wrote, “Let’s go, my brother, do work! @georgekambosos 🥊.” And what did the former IBO champion do? Expressing supreme confidence in Haney’s ability to pass his first test, set to unfold on May 2, George Kambosos Jr. replied, “Big love, bro. Ready to handle business, and I know you will in May too. Let’s go 👊🏻.”

This exchange resonated with many boxing fans. They appreciated the sportsmanship and maturity both fighters displayed despite their intense rivalry in the past. “Absolute class act from both champs 👏,” said one of the users.

Kambosos Jr. is weighing his next move. According to recent reports, if everything goes according to plan, he could return in June. He is rumored to be in contention for a shot at IBF champion Richardson Hitchins, who claimed the title by defeating Australian Liam Paro last December.

Devin Haney: Chasing redemption against Garcia

At the legendary Times Square in New York, Devin Haney will face Jose Ramirez. On the Golden Boy-Matchroom card, making his return after the year-long suspension, Ryan Garcia will fight former sparring partner Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero. Another highlight of the ‘Fatal Fury’ event will be the title fight between Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr.

Haney’s lawsuit against Ryan Garcia received significant backlash, adding to the controversy surrounding their last fight. Some argue that Haney lost to an opponent who came in overweight and allegedly used PEDs. But a few never fail to highlight that Garcia exposed Haney’s defensive vulnerabilities. Garcia knocked him down three times using a similar attack pattern, raising questions about Haney’s ability to handle power punchers.

If Haney wants to silence his critics and set the stage for a rematch, his upcoming fight against Jose Ramirez is crucial. Defeating a former champion like Ramirez would not only boost his confidence, but also strengthen his case for a high-stakes showdown with Garcia.

If both Haney and Garcia emerge victorious in their respective fights at ‘Fatal Fury,’ should they immediately proceed to finalize their rematch?