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George Kambosos Jr v Devin Haney
There is a rematch clause in this contract and the two fighters are chatting about their prospects moving forward.
Michael Buffer announces the result...
116-112 on two scorecards, 118-110 on the other, unanimous decison to Haney, now the eighth undisputed champion in the four-belt are and the youngest.
There's some pushing and shoving between camps, but respect between the fighters, as Haney takes possession of Kambosos' belts.
12th round - Kambosos needs a knockout in the final round to keep his belts.
Haney lands a swinging left. Kambosos throws a huge left hook and misses, almost flying through the ropes.
Haney connects with a left, Kambosos tags him with a right, but too late surely.
The fight ends and both fighters are celebrating like they won - only one has.
11th round - Penultimate round begins and Kambosos needs something dramatic. Haney still catching Kambosos almost at will, connecting with left hook.
Haney showing nice footwork and throws a left hook. He's dancing around the ring, making Kambosos chase him.
10th round - Kambosos catches Haney with a low jab. Haney throws a left hook to the ribs, Kambosos connects with a left hook.
Kambosos clips Haney around the ear and then swings him around by the arm, like he'll throw him out of the ring. Haney finds the head with a right hook.
Kambosos misses with a right uppercut, but is well behind now.
Nine round - Kambosos' dad is pleading for his son to fight for his family. Kambosos comes forward and Haney catches him with a left uppercut, then finds the head with a right.
Haney starting to find his mark, but he slips to the ground. The crowd goes wild, but no harm done.
Kambosos catches Haney with a right, but that just leaves him open to Haney's counter.
Kambosos still dominates the centre of the ring, but Haney has the speed to get off the ropes and out of trouble.
Eighth round - Kambosos can feel his belts slipping away here. Haney lands three left jabs and two more.
Haney connects with a left jab and follow-up right. Kambosos still looking fo rjust one punch...
Haney connects with a swinging left, as Kambosos advances. The crowd tries to lift Kambosos, but Haney pokes his tongue out, as the round ends.
Seventh round - Fight stats suggest Kambosos has actually landed more punches than Haney.
Kambosos has Haney in a headlock, Haney breaks with a double left jab. Haney jabs, Kambosos counters with a left hook.
Haney lands a left-right combination. He lands another jab, then a left-right combination, and he wins that round too.
Sixth round - Kambosos probably nees to win every round from here or somehow end it early. Neither fighter has looked likely to knock the other out yet.
Quick left jab from Haney, who fakes another and then throws a right. Kambosos finds the chin with a left hook.
This fight is evening out a little, with Kambosos giving as good as he gets now. Haney claims a low blow, as the round ends.
Fifth round - Stiff left to the head from Haney, followed by an uppercut. Kambosos lands a good right to the body and he's pushing the pace of the fight more.
The Aussie still owns the centre of the ring and stings Haney with a four-punch combo, countered by a body shot from Haney. Kambosos advances, but can't do any real damage.
Another Haney round.
Fourth round - Kambosos faking some punches and then throwing combinations that don't land.
Haney clips him with a jab, Kambosos comes forward and Haney lands a right to the body. Kambosos is pressing now, coming forward and landing a left hook to Haney's jaw. A better round for Kambosos.
Third round - Haney jabs and follows with a right. The American is dominating the centre of the ring and throws a two-punch combination, absorbed by Kambosos.
Haney backs Kambosos onto the ropes and hits him with a right to the head. Haney's speed is incredible, getting in and out without a glove landing on him.
Kambosos hasn't made an impression on his opponent yet.
Second round - Both fighters should be well warmed up now, Kambosos comes forward and Haney catches him with the left jab.
Haney throws an overhand right and Kambosos catches him low with a right. Kambosos is countering each jab with a counterattack of his own.
Haney throws a jab and follows with a right that connects Kambosos' head. Kambosos goes high, Haney goes low and they end up clinching.
Another Haney round.
First round - Incredible atmosphere at Marvel Stadium, with Kambosos supporters chanting, as the fight begins.
Haney snaps a couple of early jabs to establish his distance, as Kambosos stalks him. Haney connects with a jab and retreats to avoid a counter.
Both fighters are warned for head contact. Kambosos throws a three-punch combination and Haney jabs in return, then comes over the top with a right.
Kambosos throws a big right, as the bell rings. Probably Haney's round.
*****
Here it is - the main event. The great Aussie (20-0) hope against the American (27-0) for all the chocolates.
As they say in the boxing game, someone's 'O' must go!
Haney has the WBC lightweight title, Kambosos has everything else, so the winner here will be undisputed world champion.
Three national anthems are performed - the US, Greece and Australia, with the last two covering Kambosos' dual heritage.
Michael Buffer is in the house - he's looking old at 77 - and you know what that means... but not quite yet.
Haney begins his walk to the ring with father Bill - his trainer - who had difficulties entering Australia and didn't arrive in Melbourne until late last night.
Kambosos is keeping his opponent waiting, while his team huddle in the locker room for a last pep talk, but Haney has a big smile on his face and his sweater looks like it came from a child's art class.
Haney is only 23 and would become the youngest undisputed world champion. He will have a reach advantage.
For the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world...
LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!
Jason Moloney v Aston Palicte
2m 34s into the third round, Maloney wins by TKO and takes his record to 25-2
Third round - Maloney has Palicte down and his opponents gets back up, grinning and ackowledging the punch. His grin only lasts a few more seconds, until Maloney fells the Philippino again and ends the fight.
That may just earn him another fight for the title and he's doing a lap of honour into the audience.
*****
A bantamweight contest between two fighters seeking a shot a world title. Palicte is from the Philippines, while Moloney is an Aussie, and this fight is scheduled for 10 rounds.
In fact, Maloney's twin brother was on the preliminary card...
David Nyika v Karim Maatalla
After five rounds, Nyika wins by unanimous points decision and takes his pro record to 3-0
Fifth round - Final round and no-one really thought it would go this far. Maatalla connecting with some combos, as Nyika looks slightly ungainly.
Nyika actually looks a little dazed, but lands a left hook to stem the flow. He just doesn't seem busy enough and his big shots aren't doing the damage to end it early.
Maatalla may win this final round and at the very least, he was taken Nyika the distance. Waiting for the decision...
Fourth round - Nyika overbalanced in that last round, but no harm done. He needs to work though, if he wants to finish this early - only round left after this one.
Nyika connects with a right-left to the head, but Maatalla is growing by the minute. He rocks Nyika on his heels.
Nice head movement from Nyika, avoiding some big shots from Maatalla, who is going toe to toe. Nyika is egging his rival in the final seconds of the round and gets a couple of shots to the head for his trouble.
Third round - Nyika is backed into a corner, but jabs his way out. Maatalla connects with a right hand, but Nyika is immediately back at him.
Nyika slips, but he's OK and throws a solid left to the body, then a left to the head. Maatalla is showing some ability, but his nose is starting to bleed.
Nyika misses with a big uppercut, but connects with a left hook. Maatalla lands a couple of punches to the head of Nyika, but the Kiwi is in now danger yet.
Second round - Unknown territory for both fighters, as Nyika has never been taken to the second round either.
Nyika misses with a left hook and Maatalla clinches, then finds his targer with a left to the ribs.
Maatalla connects with another right, but Nyika responds with a combination. He looks determined to end this early.
Another left-right combo from Nyika, then he slaps Maatalla with a right to the body. He's cruising right now.
First round - Maatalla looks like he wants to sprint out of his corner, but when the bell rings, Nyika establishes his range with his left jab. He hits his rival with a swinigng left... and another.
Nyika lands a right to Maatalla's head, then finds the body with a left. He's not commanding the centre of the ring, but is content to glide around the ropes.
Maatalla probably hasn't landed anything that hurts yet, but survives the first round. He will reach the second for the first time in his career.
*****
Cruiserweight Nyika will hope Maatalla can last longer than his two previous pro opponents. He walks to the ring wearing a Star Wars helmet.
Apparently Maatalla is a carpenter and this is the biggest fight of his career. Very similar physiques - height, reach, weight etc - but Nyika has far more experience at a higher level.
Promoters will also hope this fight lasts longer than the previous two or the main event could be upon us very quickly.
Hemi Ahio v Christian Ndzie Tsoye
After one round, Ahio wins by TKO and improves his record to 19-0
Referee has called the fight off, with Tsoye complaining about that arm injury, so Ahio has another win on his resume, but a disappointing end to the contest.
First round - Tsoye comes at Ahio early and both boxers are busy from the outset. Ahio misses with a swinging right, but is taking a toll with his combos.
Tsoye hits hard and is connecting, but he doesn't seem to have the conditioning to last six rounds. He also winces and may have picked up a right arm injury.
First round ends and Ahio seems in control.
*****
Kiwi Hemi 'Tongan Tyson' Ahio - City Kickboxing stablemate of Junior Fa - will put his 18-0 record on the line against Christian Ndzie Tsoye, who has a 5-4-2 record.
This is expected to be another win for Ahio, but we probably thought that about Fa in the previous fight.
Junior Fa v Lucas Browne
1m 58s into the first round, Brown wins by TKO and improves to 31-3
First round - Fa has a reach advantage over Browne and uses his left jab to keep the Aussie at bay in the early stages.
Browne hits Fa on the side of the head with a swinging right and Fa is down early. He's in trouble, but scrambles to his feet and wants to continue.
The fight does continue, but it only takes a few more seconds for Browne to connect again and Fa is down again. Ref stops the fight - not the result Fa was after.
1:20pm - Promoters have jumbled up the order of the card today, so Fa will kick off proceedings against the Aussie journeyman, who is nearing the end of his career, but has fought some formidable opponents in his time.
Last time out, he actually won the WBA Oceania heavyweight title, so Fa may inherit a belt, if he wins this.
Certainly, Browne looks intimidating, covered in tattoos.
*****
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the George Kambosos Jr v Devin Haney world lightweight title unification bout at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
While the Aussies will be most interested in the fortunes of Sydney-born Kambosos, the undercard features three Kiwis, hoping to progress their careers after varying lengths of inactivity.
Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Tokyo Olympic bronze winner David Nyika faces Karim Maatalla in his third professional cruiserweight outing, hoping this opponent lasts a little longer than his previous two.
"With my last two fights, both the guys gave up within the first three minutes," he said. "I'm looking to find someone a little bit tougher, someone that's going to take me at least a few rounds."
Heavyweight Hemi 'Tongan Tyson' Aho puts his unbeaten pro record up against Christian Ndzie Tsoye of Cameroon, after capturing the WBC Middle East title in the UAE last October.
And City Kickboxing stablemate Junior Fa will make his first outing since losing to Joseph Parker in February 2021, taking on well-travelled Aussie Lucas Browne, who won the WBA Oceania heavyweight belt in his most recent bout.
Main card (starts 1pm)
David Nyika v Karim Maatalla - four or six rounds at cruiserweight
Hemi Ahio v Christian Ndzie Tsoye - eight rounds at heavyweight
Junior Fa v Lucas Browne - 10 rounds at heavyweight
Jason Moloney v Aston Palicte - 10 rounds at bantamweight
George Kambosos Jr v Devin Haney - 12 rounds for WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring lightweight world titles
'This is huge': Fa eyes golden opportunity to make heavyweight statement on global boxing stage
by Stephen Foote
Kiwi-Tongan heavyweight Junior Fa has only afforded himself the briefest of moments to envision what his walk to the ring in front of a fervent crowd of 57,000-plus fans at Marvel Stadium will feel like, when he makes his return to the ring against Australian Lucas Browne on Sunday.
The last of three NZ fighters in action on the undercard, Fa will undoubtedly draw the ire of a parochial Victorian crowd, which will obviously be in the corner of the Australian journeyman, as they warm up their vocal chords for local hero George Kambosos Jr's defence of his WBO, WBA, and IBF lightweight titles against American Devin Haney.
Cheers or boos - it's all fuel for the City Kickboxing product, who intends to harness every last ounce of that energy and put it to use between the ropes.
"I've done a lot of work with my mental space and I've done a lot of work with my breathing space, so come fight night, it's just going to be the same thing - calm down and embrace everything," Fa told Newshub. "Just go out there and have fun.
"I am looking forward to walking out there in front of thousands of people. They're all going to be clapping or booing, it doesn't really matter, I just can't wait for it.
"It's an interesting one, because it's something that you can't really prepare for in the gym."
Kiwi Olympic bronze medallist David Nyika leads the Kiwi contingent on Sunday, taking on Karim Maatalla in a cruiserweight contest, before Hemi Ahio squares off with Christian Ndzie, followed by teammate Fa.
It's more a case of excitement for the 32-year-old, whose desire to showcase the improvements he's made over the past 16 months puts any extra sense of nerves relating to the magnitude of the occasion at ease.
Fa hasn't fought since his loss to compatriot and former world champion Joseph Parker back in February 2021 - the first of his 20-bout pro career. The judges didn't score in his favour that night, which he reflects on with a touch of frustration and a certain sense of what may have been had he increased his workrate.
But in some ways, Fa admits the bout against Browne presents an even bigger opportunity to boost his profile, given the global spotlight that will be shining on Kambosos Jr - whose win over Teofimo Lopez in November propelled him to superstardom.
The eyes of the boxing world will be firmly fixed on Melbourne this weekend, where a statement performance from Fa would provide an enormous boost to his profile, allowing him to unlock that next tier of marquee heavyweights and infiltrate the all-important divisional rankings.
Even Browne - who lost to former NRL star Paul Gallen last April - would admit his best years are behind him. But the 43-year-old still carries a certain degree of name recognition, with 33 professional bouts to his name, including wins over the likes of Chauncy Welliver and James Toney. His most recent bout was a seventh-round knockout of Faiga Opelu in December to claim the WBA Oceania heavyweight title.
"This is huge," Fa said. "Much bigger than myself and Joseph Parker when we fought.
"I'm counting myself really lucky that I get to be on this undercard fighting a name like Lucas Browne. So I don't take that lightly. I'm going to be coming in to put on a great performance here.
"A win over a name like his will get me in talks with the likes of the heavyweights over in the UK or in the US. He's made a bit of a following up in the UK, so I guess me beating him will probably turn heads there. "What I want out of this fight is just bigger fights, bigger names. Doesn't matter who, I just want bigger names."
In recent years, England has established itself as the hotbed of the heavyweight boxing scene, leveraging the success of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and the likes of contenders Dillian Whyte to become the most desirable destination for the division's premier fighters.
Both Parker and Nyika are now based in the English coastal town of Morecambe, training under renowned coach Andy Lee and sparring regularly with 'The Gypsy King'.
While he's content to leave such decisions to his management teams, Fa - who's targeting two more fights before the year is out - admitted he's eager to head north to test the waters.
"I would love to go there and fight. There's such a massive, massive boxing scene for the heavyweights there.I would definitely love it."
Of course, the Aucklander isn't reluctant to think too far beyond the imminent challenge presented by Browne this weekend.
That said, Fa doesn't foresee too many issues having his hand raised - and in convincing fashion.
Asked where he holds the advantage over Browne, Fa's answer leaves little room for doubt.
"Most things," Fa said matter of factly. "I just feel like I'm going to have his number. He's too slow.
"He is durable and he does bang hard. I can't take that away from him.
"I have no idea what round, but I'm just going to be boxing his brains out until he drops. That's the plan.
"I'm going to be displaying some beautiful boxing with a bit more aggression and with a bit more hurtful intent."
