Former IBO lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. seems to have come to WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson’s rescue by offering to replace interim WBC champion William Zepeda. The 28-year-old Mexican southpaw struggled to a split decision win over Tevin Farmer on 16th November, clinching the interim title. 

This effectively put him on a collision course with Stevenson and his full version of the title sometime in February. However, he didn’t seem too eager to face Stevenson following his worst performance yet, where he was dropped for the first time in his career. 

Later, a statement from Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez revealed the Mexican boxer had suffered a hand injury during the fight. “No, so Zepeda suffered an injury [in his fight with Tevin Farmer]. He hurt his hand,” Gomez told journalist Elie Seckbach when asked about Zepeda fighting Stevenson in February.

“We are looking to see when to reschedule that because that’s the fight Zepeda wants,” Gomez added. It’s unclear how real this injury is, or whether it’s just an excuse to get out of the fight right now. The duo had previously expressed interest in squaring off against each other, but for now, the fight seems off. 

Regardless, luckily for Stevenson, George Kambosos Jr. seems to have stepped in as a last-minute replacement—though nothing has been confirmed yet. Earlier today on X, a user probed Stevenson about fighting Kambosos. “He wouldn’t dare take me as his first fight [with] DAZN right @georgekambosos 🤔,” Stevenson responded. 

Interestingly, the former unified lightweight champion recently signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn‘s Matchroom Boxing, alongside talks of moving up to super lightweight. Kambosos’ existing co-promoters, DiBella Entertainment and Ferocious Promotions will also be part of the dealings going forward. 

So, Kambosos happily welcomed the idea of facing Stevenson, also in Matchroom stable, at 140 pounds, referencing Stevenson’s own hand injury, which forced him to cancel the Joe Cordina fight in October.  “140! You’ll break you[r] whittle brittle hands before I brake your little girlie ribs. Feb 🇦🇺😘,” Kambosos wrote.

Not one to back down, the Newark native quickly accepted the challenge. “Let’s go bum!! Who do we contact for negotiations?” Responding to Stevenson, Kambosos Jr. hit back, writing, “Come see me FEB in Australia the stage is already set[.] Drop your belt[,] let Zepeda become [an] email chump. And see me at 140.” 

However, before this conversation ‘Ferocious’ had a different opinion on the previously planned Stevenson vs. Zepeda. 

George Kambosos Jr. shares thoughts on Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda

The former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. previously voiced his enthusiasm for a potential showdown between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda, calling it a must-see fight for all boxing fans. “I think so. I think they gotta fight. Why not? Zepeda is interim WBC champ. Shakur wants it, and he’s the full WBC world champion,” Kambosos told Fight Hype.

“The fans wanna see it. The crowd wanna see it. Why not? Why hide and try to go a different way and do this and do that? Do the Kambosos way and fight the best fighters in the world,” he added. Later in the interview, when asked whether Stevenson had fought a worthy opponent yet, Kambosos acknowledged Stevenson’s achievements, stating, “He’s done his way to the top, but, yeah, look: He’s gotta step up to the big names, and Zepeda is a good one for him next.”

That said, it appears after advocating for Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda, George Kambosos Jr. is willing to replace Zepeda in the fight because of the alleged hand injury. However, Kambosos wants the fight to happen in the super lightweight division, so only time will tell whether it goes through. Do you think this fight will actually materialize?