GKJ was apparently set to face "The Lightning" Tony Luis in an 'unofficial' elminator next Friday. Luis, a 25-3 (8) former interim world title challenger from Canada, is ranked #11 at lightweight by the WBA; Kambosos, now training at Wild Card (and tapped as Pacquiao's sparring partner in prep for Horn) is #5. The winner had a handshake deal in place to meet #2 Anthony Crolla in a real world title eliminator. Luis pulled out a couple of weeks ago, no reasons officially disclosed but with Luis on social media citing “red tape shenanigans with regards to pre-fight medicals.”
Horn's protégé/sparring partner/spiritual older brother Dennis Hogan takes on James Kilrain Kelly in Brisbane in about thirty hours, unifying the WBO's Intercontinental and Oriental 154lb titles. Sweetening the pot, #3 Hogan and #2 Kelly have the chance to put themselves very near a crack at world titlist Sadam Ali. A few of the brightest Aussie prospects on the undercard, including Jai "Fly Guy" Opetaia, Damien "Super" Hooper, and Tim "The Toolman" Tszyu (son of Kostya). SM was a supporter to varying degrees of all four (though in Hogan's case he did admit on at least a single occasion, I believe when Hogan put his zero at stake against Jack Culcay - and subsequently lost it - that he was supporting him blindly despite knowing little about Culcay, just to be patriotic. I know he was pretty high on Jai Opetaia, though he maintained Kambosos was the country's real blue chip prospect.
Kambosos is the best Aussie prospect in a long time. He has hooked up with Justin Fortune for his last few fights who has good connections in US and has been getting Kambosos good sparring at the Wild Card.
Aus Boxing Update Melb WBA No 4 118 lb Jason Maloney faces the biggest fight of his career on May 19 when he defends his WBA Oceania Title against two time former world champion Japan Kohei Kono at Malvern Hall. Billy Deb and Tervin Farmer have been ordered to fight for the interim IBF 130 lb title Kenichi Ogawa due to the uncertain future of current title holder Kenichi Ogawa who failed a drug test. Paul Fleming what is u management doing ?
Kempsey born Quinlan must be very confident. He has a fight scheduled on April 28 in Uzbekistan for WBC Silver 168 lb title then a fight against Mark Lucas at Star City on May 24 at 160 lbs.
Fly Guy Jai & Tim the Toolman will get it done. Not so sure about Super Hooper & Paul Hogan's grandson (aka "Strop").
Yeah, Tim and Jai both appear on the surface to be taking steps up or at least sideways, but the former is being dealt an 8-0 southpaw Kiwi that has yet to register a professional knockout (and that's despite having fought nobody of note in his dogged eight-match campaign since his debut a year ago!) - guessing they're playing it safe for the moment since Tim was dropped early in his last outing, while the Samoan cruiser also has a pretty but empty record in the opposite corner with 9-1 Lukas Paszkowsky, a fairly big step down in class & experience from Daniel Ammann. Both fights atop the bill are sure to be competitive.
Moloney vs. Kono is fascinating, youth vs. experience, but I think Kono might have been in too many wars and be facing too big & strong a foe here. I'll favor The Smooth One by decision or late referee wave-off (Kono is a hard man to put down for the count and won't quit). Farmer schools Dib, however, easily.
Great fight. Kono had the beating of the flawed Tso last time out. Don't know much about Maloney.... But Kono is always a blast to watch.
The Hooper-Quinlan fight delivered in spades. The rivalry and feeling between the pair was evident and apparently Hooper had to be calmed down in the changerooms beforehand because he was so fired up. Quinlan bulldozed forward looking to get inside and use his power. Hooper tried to keep it long and counter punch. The fight had everything. Swinging fortunes. Knockdowns. Real good contest.
Hooper has terrific skills & was under massive pressure last night. He did remarkably well to get out of that fight with the w let alone a stoppage. His chin is obviously a big worry going forward but last night was compelling viewing. Loved it.
