Australia’s George Kambosos Jr. surprised by beating American Teofimo Lopez in points to win the WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight belts on Saturday at the Hulu Theater in New York.
It was the first career defeat for young prodigy Lopez, 24, who couldn’t resist the relentless blows from Kambosos, 28.
The new unified champion wins by split decision, with the judges handing in 115-111 and 115-112 for the winner, and 114-113 for Lopez.
The boxers offered a fierce fight, both finishing covered in blood and bruises.
Kambosos surprised his opponent at the start with a knockdown on the first round, before falling to the ground himself on the tenth round. “I didn’t have any pain,” Kambosos said. “I said to my camp, ‘Let’s go all out. I’m going to punish this kid.’
Kambosos, still undefeated in his career (20 victories, including 10 by KO), inflicts a painful defeat on Teofimo Lopez, who himself had created the surprise in 2020 by winning the three belts after his victory against the Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko.
Lopez interrupted Kambosos’ post-game interview to say he was robbed and lost only 2 out of 12 times, triggering boos from the Hulu Theater. “You’re delusional,” Kambosos replied.