Kambosos makes light work of Magboo
THERE was a sense of routine inside the walls of the Axiata Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Shortly after Manny Pacquiao underlined his worth as a marquee attraction in Kuala Lumpur, disposing of WBA welterweight ruler Lucas Matthysse with surprising ease, a confident George Kambosos strutted his way to centre ring.
Although it lacked the media exposure and live audience that it craved, an aura of star-power still surrounded the unbeaten lightweight. Kambosos (now 15-0, 9 KOs) made the walk to his now signature ‘Many Men’ anthem draped in a white coat and flanked by head-trainer Justin Fortune.
Less than two rounds later, Kambosos was already plotted his next move after folding an overmatched JR Magboo (now 17-2-2, 8 KOs) with a crunching left hook to the body.
The under-sized Filipino was clearly overmatched, but given the short-notice, the quality is to be expected. But unlike some who have faced inferior opposition, Kambosos didn’t carry his opponent, laying waste of the gun-shy visitor with relative ease.
Kambosos is rightly classified as a neat counter-puncher that can lead.
But under the guidance of Fortune, the 25-year-old is slowly developing into a boxer-puncher. However, the validity of these claims will be proven when faced with greater opposition.
Perhaps holding a lack of respect of the punching power of his opponent, Kambosos raced forward from the opening bell, looking to replicate efforts against Jose Forero in his US debut in March.
Despite holding a slightly higher stance the usual, the world-rated lightweight pivoted with every right-hand thrown and seemed to make a clear effort to not lead with his signature right-uppercut.
In a slightly worrying sign, Kambosos stood in the pocket, eating three left-hooks from Magboo that may have caused more of an impact against a bigger-sized opponent. In the end, the attack-minded approach was justified with Kambosos flooring Magboo with a highlight-reel worthy left-hook.
Without an equivalent domestically, expect Kambosos to return to action abroad, with at least one more fight forecasted in 2018.
Photo: Rappler