Australian lightweight boxing world champion “Ferocious” George Kambosos (20 – 0, 10 KO’s) will return to Melbourne, Australia, for his first world title defence against undefeated American superstar Devin “The Dream” Haney (27 – 0, 15 KO’s) at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, June 5.
World Champion Kambosos Jr will put his WBO/ WBA/ IBF and Ring magazine belts on the line against WBC champion Haney to determine the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
Kambosos Jr v Haney is already the most anticipated boxing event of the year and is set to be the most significant world title boxing event to be held in Australia this century.
Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said “This will be the biggest boxing contest of the year and will bring thousands of fans to Melbourne.”
28-year-old Kambosos shocked the sporting world in November 2021 with a stunning points decision over undisputed champion Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden.
Today’s announcement marks a fairytale return to Australia for Kambosos Jr who will realize a dream when he steps onto the canvas in front of more than 50,000 fans at Melbourne’s iconic Marvel Stadium.
“I spent my entire life working for this moment and it will be truly incredible to return home for my first title defence in front of a packed-out stadium in Melbourne.” Kambosos Jr said.
“This is the biggest boxing event to be held in Australia and I’m going to do whatever it takes to come out victorious on June 5.”
“Haney has the only belt missing from my collection and he will know what he’s in for when he steps up into the lion’s den of Marvel Stadium against this Aussie Greek lion.”
“I plan to not only take his belt but put a serious dent in his young career.” Kambosos Jr said.
Devin “The Dream” Haney is one of the best young fighters in world boxing and travels to Melbourne intent on becoming the undisputed unified lightweight world champion.
“I’m on the cusp of greatness showcasing my skills on the world’s stage fighting for lightweight supremacy.” Haney said.
“I didn’t come this far to only come this far. Come June 5, I intend to claim my place in history and add to my legacy… the Undisputed lightweight king… I’m coming for all the belts!” Haney said.
Kambosos Jr v Haney will be a co-promotion between DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions, Duco Events and TEG Sport.
President of DiBella Entertainment, Lou DiBella thanked the Victorian Government for their support of the event and claimed Australian fans are in for something special come June 5.
“The Emperor, George Kambosos, is a different breed. He sought out the challenge of Vasiliy Lomachenko to give the people of Australia the biggest event possible. When duty to country made Loma unavailable, George demanded the biggest event possible and greatest challenge in Devin Haney,” DiBella said.
“I would like to express my great appreciation to the Victorian Government for their patience and unwavering commitment to bringing this mega event to Marvel Stadium in the beautiful city of Melbourne.”
“As George is proud of his Greek ancestry and Australian roots, Melbourne, which has a large and vibrant Greek community, is the perfect city for this Spartan warrior to defend his belts. Melbourne has hosted the Olympics, is home to the Australian Open, among other huge events, and Kambosos-Haney will rock Marvel Stadium,” DiBella said.
Founder and Managing Director of Duco Events, David Higgins, who along with TEG Sport will be delivering the event on behalf of DiBella Entertainment said.
“A matchup of this magnitude is destined to become the largest boxing event in Australian history and Melbourne is undoubtedly the perfect host city with a rich history of delivering world class and globally recognised sporting event”
With the Undisputed World Championship of the Lightweight division on the line, Melbourne will witness an epic battle of two incredible sportsman at the peak of their powers”. Higgins said.
Kambosos Jr v Haney will be available through Main Event, Australia’s home of boxing, with live and exclusive coverage available to Foxtel customers and through streaming service Kayo.
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said Main Event has provided unrivalled reach for fighters in Australia for more than 20 years.
“A historic bout of this magnitude deserves the biggest audience and we’re thrilled to be the broadcaster of choice to bring this event to Australian fans on Foxtel and Kayo Sports,” Delany said.”
“We are entering a golden era in Australian boxing and we’ve been there every step of the way, building the profile of these incredibly diverse athletes. We are all about bringing the most popular sports and the best sporting talent on the field and in the ring to our base of 2.4 million sports subscribers.
“As the unrivalled home of boxing in Australia, we’re expecting continued growth of Main Event in 2022 and this Kambosos Jr v Haney fight is one of many must-watch moments for fans.”
It will also go primetime into the US LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
TEG Sport CEO Geoff Jones thanked all the partners for the opportunity to bring this world title to life in Australia while also encouraging sports fans to get in early to secure their tickets and hospitality packages.
“This is the most anticipated boxing event anywhere in the world this year and simply would not have been possible without the support of the Victorian Government. TEG Sport is delighted to work alongside DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, Devin Haney Promotions, Duco Events and Main Event to bring this fight to one of the world’s greatest sporting cities – Melbourne,” Jones said.
“There is already an incredible amount of hype around this event. Corporate hospitality, including ringside seats, and travel packages go on sale today. I encourage fans to get in quick to secure the best seats at this historic event. Tickets will go sale on 22 April, with a two hour pre-sale from 9am and public on-sale at midday. We anticipate a huge rush on ticket sales, so fans should register now for the Ticketek pre-sale to avoid disappointment.
CORPORATE HOSPITALITY PACKAGES INCLUDING RINGSIDE SEATS
On Sale Now
TRAVEL PACKAGES
On Sale Now
Via Keith Prowse Travel www.kpt.com.au
TICKETS WAITLIST
Tickets will go on sale on Friday 22 April at midday
Register for pre-sale access at www.tegsport.com.au
ABOUT DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT
In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters, such as Sergio Martinez, Bernard Hopkins, Jermain Taylor, Micky Ward, Deontay Wilder, and George Kambosos, among others. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised “Broadway Boxing” series in November 2003. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. While at HBO, DiBella created and established the highly successful “Boxing After Dark” series, which featured some of the sport’s greatest fights. DiBella was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and will be inducted in June 2022.
ABOUT TOP RANK
Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1973 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry’s leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Erik Morales, Timothy Bradley, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Tyson Fury.
ABOUT VISIT VICTORIA
Visit Victoria is the State of Victoria’s primary tourism, business and major events company, leading the sector in creating, curating and communicating Victoria’s inspiring experiences to maximize visitation. Established in July 2016, Visit Victoria brings the best of Tourism Victoria, Victorian Major Events Company and Melbourne Convention Bureau under one brand that capitalizes on commercial opportunities in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global tourism market. The team operates in a collaborative and agile environment that informs, connects and partners with industry and the Victorian State Government to amplify Victoria’s profile.
About TEG Sport
TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing and technology business which operates worldwide out of seven country offices. TEG also includes TEG Live, TEG Experiences, TEG Dainty, TEG MJR, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, TEG Rockefeller, Qudos Bank Arena, Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Eventopia, Softix, TicketCharge, TicketWorld, Ticketek Singapore and Ovation.
Life is Better Live. Whether it’s Sport, Concerts, Musicals, Theatre or Exhibitions, nothing beats the live experience! For more information www.teg.com.au.
About Duco Events
Duco Events is one of Asia Pacific’s leading events management and sports promotion companies, responsible for delivering high profile sporting events such as The Battle of Brisbane – Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Brisbane Rugby Tens alongside numerous other innovative sports, corporate and entertainment events throughout New Zealand and Australia including Synthony – a breath-taking fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJ’s, vocalists and immersive visuals.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
THM Sport
Tristan Hay: +61 418 773 477
DiBella Entertainment (George Kambosos and Lou DiBella)
Fred Sternburg: 303-548-0707 / TooFred@aol.com
Top Rank (Bob Arum and Devin Haney)
Evan Korn: 516-510-6014 / ekorn@toprank.com
Gardy Lopez: 787-246-3668 / glopez@toprank.com
