George Kambosos Jr. talks boxing on GEM, Rodynie Rafol and more

 
WHILE it may not be the title fight he wanted, George Kambosos Jr. will still be the semi-main attraction on the GEM televised ‘Footy Fight Night’ on Saturday night.

 
Kambosos, 21, the undefeated and reigning Australian lightweight champion will face rugged Filipino Rodynie Rafol (12-5-2, 5 KOs) in a six-round co-feature that will headline the six-fight undercard.

 
“You will not find another hard working, dedicated 21-year-old boxer,” said Kambosos Jr in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “This is why I’m the current Australian champion at such a young age.”

 
“As a professional boxer this is what I do – I stay professional – I eat clean no matter during or after preparation. I don’t drink, I’m in the gym day in and day out perfecting my profession and I’m committed to becoming the best, this is what I have put this down to.”

 
Despite having held state and national titles in his short six fight career, Kambosos Jr. has never been slated as the semi-main event. The talented and well-spoken Kambosos Jr. understands the platform that he has been presented with and with that in mind, he is looking to impress on the biggest stage yet.

 
Although the event has clearly been staged around the rugby league element of the card – being unbeaten pair Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen – Kambosos Jr. sees the event as an ideal way to expand his reach to a much larger audience than he is accustomed to.

 
“Fighting on GEM, on free-to-air is very important for the future of our sport in Australia,” Kambosos Jr explained. “Young up-and-coming fighters like myself are getting opportunity to showcase ourselves on free TV to a wide broadcasting audience from NRL Fans to Rugby Union Fans to boxing fans in general.”

 
“The public want to see stars like Sonny Bill Williams and Paul Gallen and all the other celebrities apart of this great event. For myself to be the semi main event under Sonny Bill Williams is huge and it is going to give me a huge amount of exposure to prove myself and show why boxing in Australia is moving forward,”

 
In Rafol, 28, Kambosos Jr. is facing an experienced campaigner who has shared the ring with some genuine high-class opposition. Rafol pushed former world title challenger Terdsak Kokietgym all the way to the final round, before being stopped in a closely fought fight.

 
Rafol also dropped a competitive decision to previously unbeaten WBC regional titleholder Bualuang OnesongchaiGym, which only further confirms Rafol’s ability to compete with higher level opposition.

 
“Rodynie Rafol is super tough and experienced, he has fought with some very high quality opponents,” Kambosos Jr added. “But we are fully prepared for what he brings to the table.”

 
“We are expecting a great fight for myself and for the fans due to the way Rodynie and I box. He can bang and box just like myself and tends to get wild, this is what we are prepared for and we’ll break down and execute our
full game plan and open up all his weaknesses.”

 
It almost goes without saying that Kambosos Jr. is completely focused on the task that lies ahead. However, when speaking to the likeable prospect, you get the feeling that he laments the fact that the initial fight he had signed for – a twelve round regional title fight against Leon Moore – ultimately fell through.

 
“We were very excited to fight Leon Moore as he has such high credentials and a great record (31-3) for the PABA lightweight title,” Kambsosos Jr quipped. “The contracts were ready to go but unfortunately Channel 9 pushed down the rounds down from twelve to six due to airing time of the event.”

 
With that said, Kambosos Jr. is expecting a greater challenge from his new opponent in Rafol, who from all intents and purposes, is coming to fight.

 
“We wanted the best possible fight and toughest opponent so Rodynie Rafol took the challenge to come to Australia and fight ‘Ferocious’,” said Kambosos Jr. in closing “I believe Rodynie is a tougher fight, and will bring out the best in myself for the public to see what George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos Jr is all about,”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz