We are days away from a lightweight special attraction that will feature the return of George Kambosos Jr. (20-2, 10 KOs) as he faces IBO lightweight champion Maxi Hughes (26-5-2, 5 KOs). Kambosos Jr. recently signed a new deal with Top Rank, and this looks to be a fight that will determine if he can once again compete for a world title.
CAN KAMBOSOS JR. DITCH THE ‘SILK SHEETS’ AND RETURN TO LIGHTWEIGHT SUPREMACY?
The only thing on his mind.@GeorgeKambosos x #KambososHughes pic.twitter.com/cMS7a0n4FE
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 20, 2023
Success hits everyone differently, and when it comes to you fast, it’s hard to keep the same hunger that got you there. Teofimo Lopez found out what that was like, and Kambosos Jr. was able to capitalize off of it. Then, when he signed a very lucrative deal to fight Haney not once but twice, that second fight didn’t seem like we saw the same guy who captured the lineal title in 2021. The great Marvin Hagler once said, “It’s difficult to get up and do roadwork at five in the morning when you’re sleeping in silk sheets.” Whether that happened to Kambosos Jr. or not, his performance in that second fight certainly seemed that way.
Losing that second fight would humble anyone, and Kambosos Jr. took some time away from the sport to gather his thoughts. He’s now in the position to prove once again that he still has the talent to compete at a high level. The question is, will Hughes be the guy that proves otherwise? This may not be the fight that answers the question, as Kambosos Jr. has been matched perfectly. On Saturday, you will see the aggressive Kambosos Jr. that you are used to seeing, but will it be at a slower pace? Regardless, Kambosos Jr.’s pressure should be enough to win this fight, but if he takes his foot off the pedal, he can be in for a surprise when they announce the scorecards at the end of the night.
MAXI HUGHES LOOKS TO CONTINUE HIS WINNING STREAK
Hughes looks to increase his winning streak on Saturday night by defeating Kambosos Jr. Although he has all of the momentum, Hughes has never fought in the U.S., so there is a ton of pressure on him to perform. He doesn’t have the power to knock out Kambosos Jr., so keeping him off and earning a decision will be hard. The one thing Hughes does have going for himself is that he is a southpaw, and fighting someone who is conventional can always be problematic in the ring. Hughes will have to be busier than his last few fights and use his footwork to evade Kambosos Jr. rushing in. This is a lot to ask from the 33-year-old Hughes, which is why he is the betting underdog. Can Hughes pull the upset on his U.S. debut?
GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. MAXI HUGHES PREDICTION
A statement-making fight is on the horizon 👀#KambososHughes | SAT | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/euvSxE5fkM
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 20, 2023
Although Hughes will be mostly competitive, this will be the Kambosos Jr. show, and he will earn a decision victory and look to face Shakur Stevenson, Jamaine Ortiz, or maybe even Keyshawn Davis in the near future.
GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. MAXI HUGHES BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, George Kambosos Jr. is the favorite at -350 (Under 10 ½ rounds +350), and Maxi Hughes is the underdog at +260 (Over 10 ½ rounds -500).
George Kambosos Jr.: TKO/KO +400; Decision -175
Draw: +1400
Maxi Hughes: TKO/KO +1200; Decision +350
Round Group Betting
Kambosos Jr, George by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +2800
Kambosos Jr, George by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +1400
Kambosos Jr, George by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +1000
Kambosos Jr, George by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +1400
Saturday, @trboxing presents the lightweight doubleheader inside FireLake Arena
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) July 20, 2023
🥊 Main | Kambosos v Hughes
🥊 Co-Feature | Davis v Patera
5:45p ET | Undercard | @ESPNPlus
10p ET | Main Card | ESPN, @ESPNDeportes, ESPN+
More: https://t.co/ynb9Cj4kiF | #KambososHughes pic.twitter.com/bxStDGEMvF
Hughes, Maxi by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +6600
Hughes, Maxi by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +3300
Hughes, Maxi by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +2500
Hughes, Maxi by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +3300
GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. MAXI HUGHES DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, July 22
- Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
Almost that time again ⚔️#KambososHughes | JULY 22 | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/058QsOuUn9
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 19, 2023
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. MAXI HUGHES?
- U.S.: ESPN, ESPN+ & ESPN Deportes
- UK: Sky Sports
GEORGE KAMBOSOS JR. VS. MAXI HUGHES FIGHT CARD
- George Kambosos Jr vs. Maxi Hughes; lightweight
- Keyshawn Davis vs. Fancesco Patera; lightweight
- Giovani Santillan vs. Erick Bone; welterweight
- Troy Isley vs. Antonio Todd; middleweight
- Amron Sands vs. Hemo Ahio; heavyweight
- Roney Hines vs. Michael Pirotton; heavyweight
- Stephan Shaw vs. Joseph Goodall; heavyweight
- Jeremiah Milton vs. Willie Harvey; heavyweight
