Lomachenko vs Kambosos Jnr Predictions: Vasiliy will reign again

Vasiliy Lomachenko takes on George Kambosos Jnr this Saturday, May 11 for the vacant IBF lightweight championships. The two former unified kings will clash at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Sky Sports Action will screen the fight in the UK. Here are my Lomachenko vs Kambosos Jnr predictions ahead of this lightweight world title attraction.

Both of these men are casualties. Their shared victimhood comes from their experiences at the gloved fists of Devin Haney. ‘The Dream’, last seen being outpointed by an overweight Ryan Garcia who has since failed a drugs test, has beaten both of these men. 

Kambosos was thoroughly outboxed and outfought over the course of two decision defeats to Haney. The Australian lost the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring titles he had won from Teofimo Lopez in the process. Haney was the WBC champion going into their two-fight series, emerging from it as the undisputed ruler at 135 pounds.

Lomachenko’s own experience with Haney was less costly. He had no title belts to lose in the first place. The Ukrainian had lost his straps to Lopez, kicking off the game of hot potato that took in both Kambosos and Haney. But Lomachenko endured a result against the American that was far more frustrating than either of Kambosos’ losses.

‘The Matrix’ lost to Haney via unanimous decision in May of last year. Las Vegas has seen many controversial decisions over the years. But in terms of recent examples, you won’t find one that has sparked hotter debate than this. 

Lomachenko defied his age to take control of the younger man as the fight wore on. He out-landed the undisputed champion 124-110. He used Haney’s head as a speedball in the eighth and landed his best blow of the fight in the tenth. But judge Dave Moretti gave the defending champion both sessions. He had the widest card at the end of the night, 116-112 in Haney’s favour. Judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland had it 115-113. Boxing’s cynics had a lot of fun with the name of the former.

Usually a bout featuring a 36-year-old who has lost two of his last five fights would raise the question of whether the veteran had anything left. But were it not for some questionable judging, Lomachenko could be entering this bout as the undisputed lightweight champion. He’d won three in a row going into that Haney bout, all at a good level. 

Kambosos is much younger but arguably more out-of-form. The two losses to Haney were wide and damaging. His last bout was a majority win over Maxi Hughes. Many felt he was lucky to get the nod over the Brit. This is that rare case of a fight where the boxer coming off a loss is seemingly in better fettle than the one entering after a win.

Of course, Kambosos knows all about upsetting the odds. After Teofimo Lopez shocked the world and dethroned Lomachenko, Kambosos surprised the populace all over again and took the belts. The Australian will be undaunted, particularly on home soil Down Under. 

I don’t think confidence or thousands of roaring countrymen will be enough though. With Haney’s vacated IBF title on the line, I think Lomachenko will rise to the occasion and prove he should already have been champion. The skills have not deteriorated. The ring generalship, speed and angles remain potent. Kambosos is game but limited by comparison. 

For this reason, I’m backing ‘Loma’ to do the business on points at 1/2. Nobody has ever stopped ‘Ferocious’ while Lomachenko’s knockouts are becoming increasingly rare. But even at 36 I feel his technique and vision will be too much for the hometown boy. Nearly four years since he last wore a belt, Lomachenko will become a world champion once again.

You can find all our latest boxing tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page