George Kambosos vs Jake Wyllie Predictions: ‘Ferocious’ fights for relevance

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. returns to the ring this Saturday, March 22 against late replacement Jake Wyllie. The bout takes place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The fight will take place at super lightweight over 12 rounds with DAZN broadcasting live.

Here are my Kambosos Jr. vs Wyllie predictions ahead of this Down Under headliner.

George Kambosos Jr. vs Jake Wyllie Odds

Kambosos is a huge favourite at 1/14, a reflection of his championship pedigree. His opponent is making a huge, late step-up in class at 13/2. The draw is 25/1.

George Kambosos Jr. vs Jake Wyllie Fight Preview 

Until fight week, Kambosos was matched with Indonesian veteran Daud Yordan. But the 37-year-old pulled out on Monday on medical grounds. In steps Wyllie, a considerably less-experienced fellow Australian who was in camp for an April date with Joel Taylor.

If you count the lightly regarded IBO belt, which Kambosos won with a unanimous decision over Britain’s Maxi Hughes, this fight with Wyllie will be the Aussie’s first without a world title on the line in four years. 

Kambosos has competed for genuine world titles against the likes of Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko in that time. More than any other lightweight in recent times, ‘Ferocious’ has fought the absolute best. Not just top-ranked stars and champions, but genuine pound-for-pound talent.

Even before meeting those men, Kambosos earned his seat at the top table with victories over former world champions Mickey Bey and Lee Selby. The latter was a memorable triumph at Wembley Stadium that served to put Kambosos on the boxing map in a big way.

Despite his fine form, Kambosos remained a heavy underdog when he faced Lopez for the WBA, WBO, IBF and The Ring lightweight championships. ‘The Takeover’ was coming off a career-win over Lomachenko that had fans salivating over his potential. 

Kambosos was brought in as cannon-fodder for Lopez, who had reportedly made a handshake agreement to face WBC kingpin Devin Haney to unify the undisputed title. The idea was that Lopez would beat Kambosos, and look good doing it, before facing off with ‘The Dream’.

The best laid plans often suffer in the sport of boxing and Kambosos shocked the world, knocking his man down in the opening round and never letting up. The Australian hit the deck himself in the 10th but that ferocity that you’ll find in his nickname was in evidence. The challenger took a deserved split decision and all but one of the world lightweight titles.

The Haney fight was another of the spoils of victory, though it ended up as a dubious honour. Haney outpointed a strangely-subdued Kambosos in Australia. The deposed champion secured the contracted rematch back in his home nation, but lost even more widely on the cards. 

Up next was an opportunity for a reset. For once, Kambosos allowed himself to take a fight in which he was the favourite. IBO champ Hughes had earned plenty of friends with his pleasing style and a series of upset victories. ‘Maximus’ earned a few more with a spirited display against the ex-unified kingpin. 

Many felt Kambosos was lucky to emerge with his majority decision win but it was enough to put the train back on the track. The ‘Ferocious’ one secured a fight with Lomachenko for the vacant IBF lightweight strap off the back of his win over the Brit.

Lomachenko recaptured his old, imperious form in dismantling the outmatched Australian. Kambosos hit the deck twice in the 11th round before being stopped. It was nothing short of a rout, a window back to a time when Lomachenko was the greatest fighting machine on the planet. 

So now Kambosos finds himself in the all-too-familiar position of launching a comeback from a defeat. The last minute change-up brings Wyllie to his door. While Kambosos was preparing to meet a 37-year-old who had faced the likes of Anthony Crolla and Chris John, he now faces a 24-year-old going up against their first world name.

A 2023 knockout defeat to 0-2 Faavesi Isaako does not bode well. That is the only defeat of Wyllie’s 17-fight career. 15 knockouts from his 16 victories looks good on paper, though Wyllie has never gone past eight rounds.

Full credit to Wyllie for rescuing this card and hopefully he is well-compensated for doing so. But this is likely to be a rout. Kambosos has matched wits with the best and once reigned as the king of his division. Wyllie has never breathed this air before.

History suggests that when that opportunity arises, ‘Ferocious’ might be found wanting. But Kambosos should have no trouble dealing with what’s in front of him on Saturday night. In the headline bout, in front of thousands of his countrymen, that is all Kambosos really needs.

George Kambosos Jr. vs Jake Wyllie Full Card

George Kambosos vs. Jake Wyllie

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George Kambosos Jr. vs Jake Wyllie Prediction

I think Kambosos would have comfortably had Yordan’s number. I believe this replacement opponent will make things even easier on ‘Ferocious’.

I like Kambosos to get the stoppage here. I think the former lightweight king gets the knockout at 1/2.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.