Leading lightweight contender George Kambosos believes a victory over undisputed champion Teofimo Lopez is written in the stars.
Having been a beneficiary of a mind-blowing $6 million purse bid from upstart streaming network Triller on Thursday, Australian Kambosos believes his fortune does not end there.
The current 7/2 betting underdog is confident he will confound the oddsmakers and dethrone Honduran American Lopez when they eventually collide in the ring in either April or May. The IBF No.1 contender has always believed a fight with Lopez lay in his destiny after the duo posed for a picture two years ago.
“It’s a huge fight, probably the biggest fight ever for an Australian fighter. But I’m just so focused, I’m just having tunnel vision,” Kambosos (19-0, 10 KOs) told WA Today.
“I always knew this fight was coming. I met Lopez in 2019 and we took a photo together. I always had the vibe, even before he was a world champion, that we were going to meet in the ring one day. I truly believe this is destiny for me.
“Many people think I’m the underdog, but in my head I’m winning this fight. People doubt me but that just comes with the game. I’m fighting for all the people that support me, all of Australia, all of Greece [the nation of his heritage].
“I’ve had messages from Anthony Mundine, Danny Green, Billy Dib, Sakio Bika… they’ve all reached out and said, ‘It’s my time, I’m the face of Australian boxing’. They said I’ve done it the hard way and I deserve this shot. These guys are champions who have paved the way for where I am today.”