Cruiserweight Jai Opetaia Backs Compatriot George Kambosos in IBF Lightweight Title Fight
Jai Opetaia, a cruiserweight boxer, is firmly behind his fellow Australian George Kambosos as he vies for the vacant IBF lightweight title against Vasiliy Lomachenko this Saturday in Perth, Australia.
Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs) has the chance to become a two-time world champion after securing a debated majority decision win over England’s Maxi Hughes last July.
Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) will be making his return to the ring after a near one-year hiatus. Many believe the Ukrainian was unlucky not to have been awarded the victory against Devin Haney at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“I hope so,” Opetaia expressed his confidence in Kambosos’s chances. “I believe in him, I’m going to be backing George all the way. He’s a fellow countryman and I’ll always back the Aussie. I used to watch Lomachenko, I used to think he was an absolute freak. But Kambosos has that will-to-win, he wants it bad. It’s hard to beat someone who wants it that bad. I believe he can pull it off, so I’ll be backing Kambosos all the way.”
Like Kambosos, Opetaia also has an opportunity to become a two-time world champion when he rematches Mairis Briedis on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Australian fighters are skyrocketing,” Opetaia added. “I’m proud to be a part of it. I’m very proud of my country, mixing it with the best, it’s good to see. We didn’t have these platforms to fight on when I was coming through the ranks. Now we have Tim Tszyu, myself, the Moloney boys and all the girls. Boxing in Australia has gotten so big, and I feel it is just the start.”
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