Former World Champion George Kambosos Jr. Emulates Rocky Balboa Ahead of His 22nd July Title Fight

It would be criminal for a genuine boxing fan to forget ‘Rocky Balboa’ running through Philly streets winding up at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Bill Conti‘s ‘Gonna Fly Now’ joins him in the background. Wouldn’t it be blissful to have encountered a real-life boxer, a real-life ‘Rocky Balboa,’ as he prepares for a big clash? Nearly half-a-million followers must have caught glimpses of the reel legend when they saw George Kambosos Jr. running strong uphill in Nevada.

During the last two years, the Lightweight division saw upheavals like never before. With an impressive win over supremely gifted Vasiliy Lomachenko, Teofimo Lopez became an overnight sensation and a unified Lightweight champion. But from Down Under came George Kambosos Jr., who dethroned the newly crowned king after a year’s reign. But before the usurper could enjoy the fruits of his labor, Devin Haney hunted him down at home. The American overwhelmed him to raise the rematch clause.

George Kambosos Jr. readies himself for a big-bang return

The second attempt also came a cropper. The back-to-back defeat in his home country dampened George Kambosos Jr.’s career trajectory. Now, after a gap of nine months, the thirty-year-old, Sydney-born boxer of Greek ancestry returns. He faces Englishman Maxi Hughes on July 22 at the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Australian has remained without a title since last June. So he makes a fresh attempt to snatch the IBO Lightweight belt from Hughes, who won it in 2021.

Kambosos Jr. may want the fans to see that his ferocity hasn’t mellowed. Nevertheless, from the Instagram stories he shared today, he appears to be preparing for the upcoming bout in the United States. A picture shows him standing beside his sparring partner, Demler Zamora. Then a video follows with a note on the top mentioning, “Grinding in the mountains at elevation, 8570 feet, 3 weeks. Location – Mountain Charleston, Nevada.”

New deal to start with

In one of the pictures, fans find him standing next to legendary boxing referee Kenny Bayless. Followers land at one more clip of him running alone, “Isolated and zoned in.” Undoubtedly, Kambosos Jr. looks fit as a fiddle, ready to rumble. Speaking to DAZN.com, ‘Ferocious’ said, “I am extremely excited and motivated to make a serious statement against Maxi Hughes in my return fight in the United States, the Mecca of boxing.”

Reportedly, the fight on July 22 would be his first under the new-co-promotional arrangement with Top Rank, which he inked not long ago. The Aussie’s upcoming contest will be keenly watched. Though Hughes, three years senior, stands heavy on losses, he is by no means a light hand to be pushed around. While a win will surely put Kambosos Jr.’s career on track, for the Englishman also, a victory may land him the top contender’s position for other belts.

Read More: WATCH: George Kambosos Jr. “Scoping Out” the “Battlefield” Marvel Stadium From Above in a Helicopter Ahead of Devin Haney’s Undisputed Title Clash

What are your thoughts? Is Kambosos Jr. a spent force, or does he still have some boxing left? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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