Vasiliy Lomachenko has claimed the vacant IBF lightweight world title with a one-sided TKO victory over George Kambosos in Perth, Australia.
The Ukrainian legend was clearly the more skilled fighter on the night and eventually got the Australian out of there late in the 11th round.
Kambosos had been beaten from pillar to post over the preceding 10 rounds before he wore yet another short left to the head which sent him to the canvas, although it was initially ruled a slip.
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Upon the restart, Lomachenko switched his target to the body and dropped Kambosos twice more before Jim Kambosos, the father of the former unified champion threw in the towel.
After the fight, the 36-year-old Lomachenko, who improves to 18-3 as a professional, reflected on his first stoppage victory since 2021.
"It looks like a knockout, not 'No-mas-chenko' but we trained hard for this moment," Lomachenko said.
"I want to say a big thank you to my opponent, he is a strong man, he is a true warrior."
Kambosos, 30, suffered the first knockout defeat of his career and paid tribute to the three-division world champion.
"He's a true champion, he's a legend of the sport, I give him the utmost respect," Kambosos, who slips to 21-3, said.
"We knew what we were coming up against. I tried my best, I had the best preparation and I gave everything in training camp.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't enough but it is what it is, I step to the best.
"This is one of the best fighters in history. I wanted to finish that fight on my feet, I really did, I wanted to finish the rounds, like I always do but there's no shame in losing to a man like Lomachenko."
Here's how it went down:
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos results and highlights
Vasiliy Lomachenko brutalises George Kambosos on way to TKO victory
Follow along with the SN unofficial scorecard:
Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
Lomachenko | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 99 | ||
Kambosos | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 91 |
Round 11: Kambosos goes down but it's ruled a slip. Lomachenko lands a savage body shot to send "Ferocious" to the canvas and there's no doubt about that one! THAT'S IT! Kambosos goes down again and the referee waves it off as the towel comes in.
Round 10: A stiff right hand upstairs finds the target for Kambosos. Loma quickly takes back the ascendency, finding a home for his left several times. Kambosos' face is a mess.
Round 9: Kambosos finds the body twice with right hands but it only seems to spur Loma on. Loma getting super busy on the inside to score regularly as Kambosos shells up and looks to back out of trouble.
Round 8: Less action that round but what there is, Loma gets the better of. Kambosos not going anywhere and fires back to the body on the side. Loma lands several slapping left hands and blood is flowing freely from the Australian's eye now.
Round 7: Kambosos swings himself off his feet trying to land a hook after a decent start to the round. Loma backs up his man and tees off in the corner. Kambosos looks to tie up but Loma shrugs him off and fires to the body. They exchange wildly to the bell, Loma seems to get the better of it. Kambosos' right eye showing some damage now.
Round 6: Easily Kambosos' best round of the fight so far. Lands a nice left hook upstairs as Loma comes in. Goes to the body several times with success. Loma lands a couple of short lefts late on to swing the momentum back his way.
Round 5: Better start for Kambosos as he lands a left hook to the body. Loma is so comfortable standing in front of Kambosos while the Aussie can't find any rhythm. Loma cruising at the moment, landing the left regularly.
Round 4: Kambosos is clearly waiting on the left hooker counter but Loma is happy to risk it on the entry. Loma is feeling it now and lands a combination upstairs. Kambosos may have to get a bit more aggressive here. Vintage Loma so far as Kambosos' face begins to show damage.
Round 3: Two straight lefts land down the middle for Loma. Kambosos is looking to go to the body and get busy on the inside but Loma is generally beating him to the punch. Kambosos certainly up for it and the pair stare each other down following the bell.
Round 2: Lomachenko's trademark footwork is on point so far. Pressing the action but quickly evading most of Kambosos' counters. The Aussie lands a nice right to the body but a combination upstairs edges it for Loma.
Round 1: Tight opening round. Kambosos looks to go the southpaw's body with his rear hand. Loma lands a nice jab and then finishes the round strongly as he presses Kambosos backwards. Promising start from the Ukrainian.
12:27pm: The anthems are done. Interestingly, Kambosos is being introduced second. Let's go!
12:21pm: After some fight week chatter, Lomachenko makes the walk second.
12:16pm: Main event is up now! The fighters are making their walks.
Cherneka Johnson dethrones Nina Hughes for WBA bantamweight title
Melbourne-based Kiwi Cherneka Johnson became a two-time world champion with a majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 98-92) victory over Nina Hughes.
In slightly farcical circumstances, ring announcer Lt. Dan Hennessey initially declared Hughes the winner before recalling the fighters only to announce Johnson the winner.
Johnson, who previously held the IBF super bantamweight strap, looked the bigger of the pair and was the more patient and calculated fighter.
Hughes' aggression was a feature, although Johnson was able to steer clear of the wide shots of her English opponent and counter effectively.
11:55am: The judges will again be required to decide where this belt goes. Johnson got going as the fight went on and her shots looked far more effective when they landed, Hughes however kept busy right to the final bell. Johnson should be a two-time world champion on our card.
11:40am: Halfway through this WBA bantamweight world title bout and it's a messy one so far. Hughes the more aggressive of the pair, throwing wide shots and flurrying to close the distance, while Johnson looking to pick her shots. They're regularly finding themselves tangled up and clinching.
Pedro Guevara claims split-decision over Andrew Moloney
Mexico's Pedro Guevara edged Australia's Andrew Moloney to claim the interim WBC super flyweight world title with a split-decision (115-113x2, 113-116) victory.
In a close fight, Guevara's body work was just enough to get the nod on two judges' cards.
After the bout, Guevara confirmed he'd be willing to rematch the Australian, but Moloney appeared to have other ideas.
"I felt in total control. I did what I had to do," Moloney said.
"I don't want to make excuses but I went into the fight with a torn bicep. I couldn't throw the left hook," he added, pointing to a clearly injured left arm.
The 33-year-old then announced a shock retirement, visibly frustrated and emotional following the decision.
"I'm done with this sport," Moloney told the crowd.
"That's the last you'll see of me. I'm retired, I'm out. I love you all but, sorry, f*** that."
Moloney has developed a reputation as one of the most personable boxers around and, with some time to reflect, may regret his handling of the situation.
The loss caps a difficult week for the Moloney family after twin brother Jason dropped his WBO bantamweight title to Yoshiki Takei in Japan on Monday.
11:03am: We go the distance. The judges will be required here and it really could go either way. Both guys had moments but it's impossible to predict which way the cards will look. Expect some difference of opinion.
10:47am: We're through eight rounds and the interim WBC super flyweight title is in the balance. Neither fighter has been able to get on top for an extended period. Moloney doing some good work on the outside and Guevara scoring to the body.
10:31am: Four rounds down and a fairly even contest so far, Moloney perhaps slightly edging it with the harder scoring shots.
Imam Khataev's body assault stops Ricards Bolotniks
Undefeated light-heavyweight Imam Khataev improved to 7-0 with a brutal body-shot finish of the experienced Ricards Bolotniks.
The Olympic medal winner has now finished all seven of his victories after a typically bludgeoning performance to open the card in Perth.
Khataev repeatedly scored to the mid-section with right hands, eventually dropping Bolotniks three times in the sixth round, the last of which was enough to see the bout waved off.
What time is Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos today?
Lomachenko vs. Kambosos takes place in Perth, Australia on Sunday, May 12.
With the time difference, the action will go down on Saturday, May 11 in the US.
Here's how it translates around the world:
Region | Date | Main Card Start Time | Main Event Ring Walks (approx.) |
USA and Canada (ET) | Saturday, May 11 | 10 p.m. ET | 12 a.m. ET |
USA and Canada (PT) | Saturday, May 11 | 7 p.m. PT | 9 p.m. PT |
UK and Ireland | Sunday, May 12 | 3 a.m. GMT | 5 a.m. GMT |
Australia (East coast) | Sunday, May 12 | 12 p.m. AEST | 2 p.m. AEST |
Australia (Perth) | Sunday, May 12 | 10 a.m. AWST | 12 p.m. AWST |
MORE: Russian intelligence priming Kambosos for Lomachenko upset
How to watch Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos: TV channel, live stream
Region | TV channel | Live streaming |
USA | ESPN | ESPN+ |
Canada | — | TSN+ |
UK and Ireland | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena | Sky GO |
Australia | Main Event | Kayo PPV |
The Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos main card will air on ESPN in the U.S. The undercard will air exclusively on ESPN+.
In Australia, the event is a pay-per-view, which can be purchased through Foxtel's Main Event or via Kayo.
If Lomachenko vs. Kambosos is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs provide a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
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Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos fight card
- Vasiliy Lomachencko vs. George Kambosos for the vacant IBF lightweight title
- Nina Hughes (c) vs. Cherneka Johnson for the WBA bantamweight title
- Andrew Moloney vs. Pedro Guevara for the interim WBC super flyweight title
- Imam Khataev vs. Ricards Bolotniks; light heavyweight
- Faiga Opelu vs. Joe Goodall; heavyweight*
- Lucas Browne vs. Hemi Ahio; heavyweight*
*Fights to take place following the main event