Ferocious Kambosos Sets Up Camp in Montreal

By Vincent Morin

Don’t be surprised if you spot former unified lightweight world champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr. strolling through the streets of Old Montreal.

Although he seemed to enjoy his time visiting Notre-Dame Basilica, the Australian fighter—best known for his upset win over Teofimo Lopez—isn’t here on vacation. He’s in town to fine-tune his preparations for a high-stakes clash: the IBF super-lightweight (140 lbs) world title fight scheduled for June 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he’ll face unbeaten Haitian-American Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs).

To get ready for Hitchins, a slick counter-puncher with speed and precision, Kambosos (22-3, 10 KOs) is currently sparring with British Columbian prospect Eric Basran (8-0, 3 KOs). Basran is also deep into his own training camp ahead of a June 20 showdown against undefeated Ukrainian Danylo Lozan (13-0, 8 KOs) as part of the second round of the WBC Riyadh Season Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.

The Imam Khataev Connection
Why would a fighter based in Australia, preparing for a bout in the United States, set up camp in Montreal? Beyond acclimating to the time zone—identical to New York’s—the real reason lies in Kambosos’ connection to teammate Imam Khataev.

Khataev’s manager happens to be Jim Kambosos, George’s father. With Khataev (10-0, 9 KOs) signed to Eye of the Tiger and preparing for a major fight of his own on July 12 in New York against Cuba’s David Morrell (11-1, 9 KOs), he was already training at Marc Ramsay’s headquarters in Montreal. Bringing along a former IBF, WBA, and WBO world champion as a stablemate was a win for everyone involved.

As a result, two top-tier Australian fighters are currently training in Montreal for marquee bouts in New York—each on separate international cards: Matchroom Boxing for Kambosos and Golden Boy Promotions for Khataev.

Kambosos vs. Hitchins
Now 31, the aggressive Sydney-based warrior returned to winning ways on March 22 with a unanimous decision victory over fellow Aussie Jake Wyllie. That fight marked his comeback following an 11th-round TKO loss to Ukrainian legend Vasyl Lomachenko.

With three losses in his last five outings—two to Devin Haney and one to Lomachenko—does Kambosos still have enough left in the tank? Will moving up to 140 lbs give him the edge he lacked at lightweight, where he fought the majority of his career?

Hitchins, a natural super-lightweight, brings an impressive amateur pedigree, including a stint at the 2016 Rio Olympics where he represented Haiti. He’s yet to taste defeat as a pro, though he hasn’t faced the level of competition that Kambosos has endured over the years.

The 27-year-old New Yorker captured the vacant IBF title via split decision in his last outing on December 7 in Puerto Rico, where he defeated another Australian, Liam Paro (25-1, 15 KOs).

Can Kambosos succeed where his countryman fell short—and leave the United States with another world title in tow?

A visit to Saint Joseph’s Oratory might just help tip the odds in his favor.