Kambosos edges out Maxi Hughes
In a thrilling display of boxing prowess, Maxi Hughes found himself in a position to seize the greatest opportunity of his career on Saturday night. The tenacious British southpaw, known for his late-blooming success, stepped into the ring against former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. in a highly anticipated 12-round main event broadcasted by ESPN from the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
With determination in his eyes and a hunger for victory, Hughes gave a commendable performance against his Australian opponent. However, despite his efforts, the judges ruled in favor of Kambosos, with Josef Mason scoring the fight 117-111 and Gerald Ritter scoring it 115-113, both in favor of Kambosos. Judge David Sutherland saw it as a draw, scoring it 114-114.
An analysis by CompuBox revealed that Hughes landed eight more punches overall compared to Kambosos, with a total of 98 out of 338 punches connecting for Hughes, while Kambosos landed 90 out of 471. Interestingly, Kambosos had the advantage in power punches, connecting with 65 out of 204, while Hughes utilized his jabs effectively, landing 45 out of 180.
During the post-fight interview, Kambosos was quick to dismiss any notion that Hughes deserved the victory, stating confidently, "We won the fight by many rounds. That's no discredit to Maxi Hughes. He had a couple good rounds, but a couple good rounds don't win you the fight. We won a majority of the rounds."
For Hughes, the defeat marked the end of his impressive seven-fight winning streak and the loss of his IBO lightweight title to Kambosos. This setback was particularly disheartening for the 33-year-old veteran, who had proven his mettle in the ring time and time again. Prior to this defeat, Hughes had only experienced one loss since his defeat to British contender Liam Walsh in November 2019.
Despite the disappointment, Hughes expressed his devastation, acknowledging the doubts surrounding his chances against Kambosos. He humbly stated, "I'm absolutely devastated. Nobody thought I was supposed to be in George's league. Tonight, I came and I showed that I should have had my hand raised. I don't want to take George's moment."
Kambosos, on the other hand, faced the challenge of boxing a southpaw for the first time since his early days as a professional. Throughout the bout, he struggled to handle Hughes' crafty movement and technical skill, failing to make the necessary adjustments to secure a clear victory on the scorecards.
As the fight approached its final round, it seemed that Kambosos needed a knockout to secure the win. However, contrary to expectations, it was the resilient and light-punching Hughes who needed to deliver a knockout blow to his opponent, who had never been knocked out before.
In the 12th and final round, Kambosos landed a powerful right hand just 55 seconds in, but it had no discernible effect on Hughes, who adopted a primarily defensive strategy in the closing minutes. Hughes skillfully evaded many of Kambosos' power punches during that final round.
Notable moments throughout the fight showcased Hughes' determination and skill. In the 11th round, he landed a left hand on an exposed Kambosos, asserting control during that round. Additionally, a left uppercut from Hughes connected 1 minute and 5 seconds into the 11th round.
Throughout the earlier rounds, Hughes continued to impress with his technique and precision. He frequently evaded Kambosos' punches and managed to connect with his own, displaying his boxing prowess. The fight was not without its share of intense exchanges, with both fighters landing significant blows.
Although Hughes' efforts were commendable, the judges ultimately determined Kambosos as the victor. This controversial victory propelled Kambosos to the number two position in the IBF's 135-pound ratings, positioning him for potential future opportunities.
Looking ahead, there is speculation that if Devin Haney decides to vacate his IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO lightweight titles to move up to the 140-pound division, Kambosos may have the chance to battle Argentina's Gustavo Lemos, the IBF's number one contender, for the vacant IBF lightweight championship in his next fight. This possibility presents a significant opportunity for Kambosos to further solidify his standing in the world of professional boxing.
As the dust settles from this enthralling encounter, both Maxi Hughes and George Kambosos Jr. can reflect on a night of intense competition and memorable moments. Their names will forever be intertwined in the annals of boxing history, each leaving their mark on the sport they hold dear.
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