GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR outpointed short-notice opponent Jake Wyllie with a performance that, in truth, did little to convince fans of his credentials at the world level.
In what was his first outing at super-lightweight, ‘Ferocious’ bounced back from his stoppage defeat to Vasyl Lomachenko with a unanimous decision victory.
Two judges scored the fight 117-111, while one favoured Kambosos, 22-3 (10 KOs), by a closer margin of 115-113 at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
Shortly after his win, Kambosos unsurprisingly called out IBF world champion Richardson Hitchins, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn expressing his interest in delivering the matchup next.
“S***chins doesn’t punch anywhere near like [Wyllie],” he said in his post-fight interview. “S***chins is a tip-tap running type of guy, but if he comes and brings a brawl, then it’s better for me.”
Not only did Hearn make a promise to Kambosos but he also said that, based on his gallant display, Wyllie will soon receive a contract to sign with Matchroom.
As it happens, their encounter got off to a highly competitive start, though Kambosos landed the most meaningful shot – a right hand over the top of his opponent’s guard – in the first round.
The former lightweight king then enjoyed a spell of success with his thudding left hooks as Wyllie’s leaky defence represented a genuine concern early doors.
To his credit, the unproven 24-year-old stayed busy on the front foot but, through four rounds, it was clear that an added degree of sharpness and composure was with Kambosos.
In the fifth frame, Wyllie began to further increase his activity – catching his countryman with several looping shots at long range – and, by the following round, their previously one-sided contest suddenly became a far more intriguing spectacle.
Kambosos, though, swiftly rediscovered a home for his potent left hook, often creating angles to test the chin of his tenacious opponent.
The ninth round then saw a cut open on the 31-year-old’s forehead following an accidental head clash, with blood relentlessly pouring from the nasty wound.
Following that brief moment of panic, however, Kambosos saw out the rest of their fight to claim a comfortable unanimous decision.
