George Kambosos revels in underdog status ahead of IBF world lightweight title bout with Vasily Lomachenko

George Kambosos’ trainer says the Aussie will relish being the underdog in Sunday’s IBF world lightweight title bout with Vasily Lomachenko at RAC Arena.

Anton Kadushin, who has been in the Sydneysider’s corner for eight months after previously steering the Russian Olympic team, said all the pressure would be on the Ukraine three-division champion.

“I like underdog. George like underdog. This is not pressure on George. This is pressure on Loma. When you are underdog you go to work and win,” Kadushin told The West Australian, just 48 hours from the expected sell-out fight that will be watched in more than 50 countries free to air.

Kambosos, 30, is rated a $5.25 chance by TABtouch, while Lomachenko, 36, is at $1.13.

Kambosos (21-2, 10KOs) shocked the boxing world in 2021 when he upset Teofimo Lopez to claim the IBF, WBO, WBA and Ring lightweight titles at Madison Square Garden.

He has since lost twice to American Devin Haney – his only defeats – before winning the IBO strap last July.

Dual Olympic gold medallist Lomachenko, regarded as the one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time, also lost to Haney in a controversial unanimous decision last May after the Ukraine dominated the latter rounds.

Lomachenko, a southpaw, has a 17-3 record with 11KOs after a remarkable 396-1 record at amateur level.

Kadushin said Kambosos was not ready for both Haney fights.

“He has (a) big heart. And always takes on strong opponents. He doesn’t go for light fights. And this is a big, strong fight again,” he said.

“Lomachenko is a natural boxer. Not old. Dangerous. Still a high level boxer. For George this fight is a very big test. His biggest test. But I am 100 per cent confident George will win.”

Kambosos’ father and manager Jim said it was only the second time his son had faced a southpaw.

“George is going to bring the fight. We have had good sparring partners Loma style from Russia. He is psychologically trained, he is body trained, he is tactically trained. He is ready,” Kambosos Sr said.

“George has fought Lopez and Haney. He has fought all the big boxers but this is George’s biggest test in regards to a resume.

“The famous cliché in boxing is styles make fights and when you have got two guys coming forward, just as George punched holes in Lopez in Madison Square garden, stylistically Loma is the perfect style for George because Lomachenko comes forward.

“Devin Haney had a bit of a backward move, elusive, tall. Long kind of guy. American style.”

Kambosos and Lomanchenko appeared at a public training session at Big Rigs Gym in Malaga on Friday after it was moved from Elizabeth Quay due to the threat of rain.

The weight in will take place on Saturday morning at Crown Towers.

Kambosos said to expect a war.

“A pure war. I am coming for him with everything I have. I have put in an unbelievable preparation. It is going to be a hell of a fight. I respect the man. He is a true champ but respect goes out the window,” Kambosos told a packed crowd that included bikie Troy Mercanti.

“We’ve had a hell of a preparation and I feel the support of the whole country and it’s business time on Sunday. The city is buzzing. There is a Kambosos fight going on.”

The more low-key Lomachenko said: “For him it is a war, for me it’s a competition, an art.”

Kambosos and Lomachenko had to be separated after a post-conference stare down that lasted more than three minutes on Thursday.

The fight is scheduled for just after midday WST and will be shown live and free to air in 50 countries and on pay per view in Australia.

Organisers are expected to announce a sellout this morning.