Decision win for Kambosos keeps him in the mix at 135

SHAWNEE OKLA. – It had been nine months since George Kambosos Jr. was in the ring, coming off a second straight loss to Devin Haney for the undisputed lightweight titles. Kambosos knew that in order to get back in the running to become a world champion again, he had to perform well against Maxi Hughes.

It ended up being a tough fight over twelve rounds and Kambosos won on two of the judges scorecards to get the victory by majority decision over Hughes to be in position to fight for the IBF title. The scorecards read 114-114, 117-111, and 115-113.

Kambosos seemed to have an early lead by being more active than the southpaw from England and had the momentum through five rounds. However, Hughes came back by landing multiple counters which opened up a cut over the right eye of Kambosos. In the second half of the fight, Hughes was more accurate with his counterattack as Kambosos threw single shots. In the last round Kambosos pressed the action as he felt a sense of urgency given the fight was close up to that point.

After getting his hand raised as the victor, Kambosos felt that he was clearly ahead in the fight.

“We won the fight by many rounds,” Kambosos said. “That’s no discredit to Maxi Hughes. He had a couple good rounds. But a couple good rounds don’t win you the fight.”

“He was moving a lot and wasn’t engaging a lot, but that’s the way he fights. We knew he was going to be a tough challenge, but styles make fights. I’ve got to be more gritty with these guys.”

Maxi Hughes opposed the thoughts of Kambosos, implying that his more efficient offense should have given him the win.

“I’m absolutely devastated,” Hughes said. “Nobody thought I was supposed to be in George’s league. Tonight, I came and I showed that I should have had my hand raised.”

“I used my footwork. I made him miss and pay. I landed the cleaner shots. I don’t want to sound like a sore loser, and I will watch it and assess it, but everyone here now knows who Maxi Hughes is.”