George Kambosos Jr vs Vasiliy Lomanchenko, press conference video, news, how to watch, face off

Australia’s George Kambosos and Ukranian superstar Vasiliy Lomachenko shared what seemed a never-ending staredown at their official press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster IBF lightweight world title showdown.

The two will do battle at a sold out RAC Arena, Perth, on Sunday afternoon, with fireworks expected after Kambosos promised to ‘retire’ his 36-year-old opponent.

He doubled down on that today, declaring at the press conference: “When I beat Lomachenko, there’ll be no more road for him to go. This is retirement for him.”

“I truly believe it,” he added of his statement that he’ll stop his opponent for the first time. “The way I’m sparring, the way I’m firing on every engine. The speed that I have – he’s never seen this kind of speed and explosive power.

“The will, the heart I have, the desire to win this fight. I want this bad. I’ve prepared extremely hard for this fight. I’ve left no stone unturned. Sunday, you will see.”

Boxing: Lomachenko v Kambosos IBF Lightweight World Title Fight | SUN 12 MAY 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

After the press conference, the pair squared up in an intense stare-down that lasted 3 minutes and 26 seconds.

Even former heavyweight world champion Lucas Browne – also fighting on the card – couldn’t stop their face-off despite trying to muscle his way between the two.

Afterwards, Kambosos joked to Foxtel’s Main Event: “It was cool, man. I’ve got all day! I ain’t got nothing else to do.”

Former world champion Shawn Porter said the final face-off was an “intimate” moment between fighters as they send a final message to their opponents.

Kambosos replied: “I’m serious, I could do this all day. I could see he was starting to move, the face was starting to move around. He was having those thoughts: ‘I don’t want to do this all day, I want to go back to my room in the hotel.'”

Lomachenko told Main Event: “This wasn’t the first time that I’ve stayed too long on the face-off. It is what it is. If he wants to play, then okay, I’m ready!”

He joked: “I’m tired a little bit of standing, seeing his eyes!”

Speaking during the press conference, Kambosos declared: “We’ve been in some big fights, especially here in Australia … I don’t think it gets any bigger than this in boxing history in Australia.”

After the pair came close to fighting multiple times in the past, Kambosos said: “We were slated to fight possibly in 2019… third time lucky. This is destiny. This is the path for both of us. And Sunday, this is when we grace the ring and do our battle.”

He added: “I’m not going to sit here and create a big fuss and carry on. Lomachenko, you can’t fault the guy when it comes to who he is as a person and the fighter he is. But I’m extremely confident … I’ve had a tremendous training camp.”

Responding to Kambosos’ claims that he would stop Lomachenko and end his career, the legendary fighter said: “I heard this not (for) the first time. For me it’s not a surprise. But I’ll see you Sunday at 12. See you in the ring!”

Speaking of his strengths compared to the Australian, Lomachenko added: “I’m too long in this sport. We’re two professionals. We know boxing. We know the strategy of boxing. It will be very very interesting for both (of us), it’ll be interesting for all fans of boxing.”

But he’s certainly enjoying his first time in Australia.

“I really like it, this place. I said before I like the people because they are very very friendly,” he said, adding that he appreciates the native animals – including a koala that he shared social media photos of himself holding.

Asked if the koala was ‘nice’, he replied: “He was. It looks like a cat (mixed) with a dog!”

The Australian replied: “I’m very focused in that ring: me and Lomachenko … I couldn’t dare think about anybody else bar Lomachenko. I’ve been obsessed with this guy. That’s all I’ve thought about … I’ve not thought about koalas, I’ve never held a koala in my life!”

Boxing: Lomachenko v Kambosos IBF Lightweight World Title Fight | SUN 12 MAY 12PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

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Renowned promoter Lou DiBella declared: “I think you’re going to see a great fight … Lomachenko is on the Mount Rushmore of active fighters right now. He’s a tremendous fighter.

“But this is a better style matchup for George than Devin Haney was. George has got a little bit of a physical advantage in size over Lomachenko. He’s not the smaller man.

“It’s a fight where I expect to see a terrific performance from Loma but I think George is going to stand up to the moment.”

Legendary promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing said: “I’ve done fights all over Australia, never Western Australia. I’ve never been to Perth … but I’m really looking forward to it. It should be a sold out event and a great, great lightweight world championship match. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Arum added: “We’ve always promoted Vasiliy Lomachenko’s professional boxing matches. Everybody knows that the greatest amateur fighter in the world, in history, was Vasiliy Lomachenko. 398 amateur fights, he won 397 and the one he lost he got revenge a couple of times!”

“He’s had a tremendous career … he is a splendid tactician and I enjoy watching him very much.”

“George Kambosos is a real warrior,” he added. “He shocked the boxing world by inflicting the first defeat on one of our fighters that we raised from a pup, Teofimo Lopez. That was a big, big upset. He comes to fight, he’s very exciting. And whoever George Kambosos fights is in for a really tough battle.

“I think this lightweight championship will be memorable. I can’t wait to see it and I know fans all over the world are looking forward to it!”

MOLONEY READY AFTER YEARS OF PAIN

In the first of three world title fights on the card, Australia’s Andrew Moloney faces Mexican Pedro Guevara for the vacant WBC interim junior bantamweight world title.

Guevara said: “I really appreciate the opportunity the promoters give to me, so I’m going to take it … like this is the last one.”

“You’re going to see a great fight this Sunday, so don’t forget my name because you’re going to have a new champion from Mexico.”

Moloney said: “I think it’s going to be a very exciting fight … this is probably both of our last attempts at a world title.”

He added: “I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to become world champion again on home soil.”

“It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, I’ve had some low points in my career… four years since I lost my world title. It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get back to this point. It’s gonna feel bloody good to get that world title strapped around my waist on Sunday.”

After his brother Jason lost his own world title earlier this week, Andrew said: “I need to get one back for our team and our family … I’m going out there to make a statement with an explosive performance.”

In the co-main event, Australia’s 15-2 (6 KOs) Cherneka Johnson faces WBA bantamweight world champion Nina Hughes.

Johnson said: “I’m expecting a fight. She’s a world champion for a reason. It’s going to be a hell of a fight. I think I’m going to be a bigger person on the night, I’m going to be a bit stronger than her. But it’s going to be a banger.”

Her prediction was simple, that the announcer would declare her the world champion: “And new.”

6-0 Hughes said, the WBA bantamweight world champion: “I’ve just got to put on a performance and do what I do best and get that victory.”

“Whatever she brings, we’re prepared for.”

And she jokingly offered a straightforward prediction in response: “And still!”

In another enticing clash on the card, former world champion Lucas Browne faces Hemi Ahio.

Ahio said Thursday he expects “The best version” of his rival, despite Browne now being 45 years old.

Asked himself about his prospects, Browne joked: “Did you have to mention 45?”

“I’ve got about three fights left. I know this,” he said, but added that he still feels fresh given “I didn’t start boxing until I was 32.”

But as his career draws closer to an ending, he added this bout was an especially meaningful one.

“I’ve got three fights left. It’s a home one for me. I get to have my two sons walk me out… For me, this is massive. I’ve trained hard for it … the prep’s perfect.”

“It’ll be a banger.”