The verbal jabs have begun between George Kambosos Jr and his American opponent Devin Haney, with the Australian calling his rival a “rat” as things got heated in Melbourne.
Kambosos joked that he didn’t know how Haney had been allowed into the country, due to ‘snitching’ on the Aussie’s previous opponent and Haney’s fellow American, Teofimo Lopez.
“I don’t think they let informants into the country? This guy is an informant,” Kambosos said.
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“This guy is a rat.
“I’ll tell you why – the Teofimo Lopez fight against a foreigner, his own countryman, he was messaging me. He was telling me all the details, every bit.
“Teo at the hookah lounge, Teo having problems with his wife.
“This is a rat, this is a snitch, this is an informant.
“Your own countryman, you were going behind his back. So you know what, on Sunday, I’m going to whip your arse.
“And you know when you get back to Las Vegas, you’re gonna have to look out for Teofimo Lopez, because he’s going to be looking for you too.”
Haney bristled at the accusations, repeatedly saying it was all an act from the Australian – but declined to answer when asked if what Kambosos was saying was true.
“I had both sides of it,” Haney replied.
“If he won, I’d have fought Teo. If you won, I’d have fought you… how is that a rat? Do you know the definition of a rat?”
Kambosos later shot back: “I’d rather be an actor than a rat”.
Sunday’s bout in Melbourne will be the 28-year-old’s first fight in Australia in five years, when he beat Krai Setthaphon via a ninth-round TKO.
Since then, he’s rattled off another seven wins across the USA, Malaysia and England, extending his professional record to 20-0.
“It’s great to be back home,” Kambosos said.
“Five years of hard work, everyone knows the story.
“I’ve had to go through every bit of adversity – I’ve had to earn my belts, earned them the hardest way. Not like this guy, got given a present.”
Haney is a slight favourite at $1.70 with the bookies, the hometown boy paying $2.20.
“It’s OK, I’ve been the underdog my whole career,” Kambosos said.
“Whatever odds, just like I was in the Lopez fight, and I will handle business this Sunday.”
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