George Kambosos Jr. is putting everything on the line as he steps up in weight for a critical showdown with Indonesian Boxing senator Daud Yordan in Sydney.
The former Undisputed world lightweight champion will move up to the 140-pound division to face Yordan at Qudos Bank Arena on March 22, marking his first fight on home soil since 2016, Luna Park.
After relinquishing his IBF, WBC, WBA, WBO, RING MAGAZINE belts to Devin Haney in his pursuit of successfully defending his undisputed world championship belts in Melbourne, 2022.
Kambosos continued pursuing a boxing legacy in Perth 2024, going up against the P4P great from Ukraine, Vasyl Lomachenko. Once again, he fell short in his quest to secure another world title belt.
George Kambosos knows the risks involved in this fight against the veteran with hard-punching experience, Daud Yordan. This fight has now become even more important. If George defeats Yordan, Kambosos will face the current IBF 140 champion, Richardson Hitchins, in June or July 2025, at Madison Square Garden in NYC.
Another loss would have significant repercussions for George’s career. At the same time, a win could open the door to a world-title clash with unbeaten American Richardson Hitchins, the fighter who recently defeated Australian Liam Paro.
“This is a very important fight,” Kambosos said on Wednesday. “Hitchins and that potential title shot are in the future. But it diminishes everything I’m working towards without making a strong statement in my 140-pound debut against someone like “ Daud Yordan.”
With much at stake, Kambosos knows a victory will pave the way for even greater opportunities, including a potential two-division, seven-time world championship. But he’s staying focused on the present challenge.
“Yordan is dangerous, and I know he’s coming to fight,” said the 31-year-old. “He’s a senator and a man of the people in Indonesia. I want to be a man of my people, Australia, and Greece. There’s a lot on the line,I am staying fully focused on the task at hand.”
Kambosos sees this as an unofficial world-title eliminator, recalling his mindset when he defeated Lee Selby four years ago. He recognizes the possibility of future fights with a Teofimo Lopez rematch, Gervonta Davies, and even Ryan Garcia in the 140-pound division but for now remains zoned into defeating Yordan first.
“I regret not moving up to this division earlier. Cutting weight slowed me down, and I feel fantastic now at this weight,” Kambosos admitted. “I haven’t been able to make a big statement since the Lopez fight. This is my chance to show what I can do at 140 pounds.”
While many have labeled Yordan a knockout artist, Kambosos is confident in his abilities: “I’m going to knock this guy out. I’m going to show what I am at 140 pounds now.”
– George Kambosos Jr. (AU) vs Daud Yordan (ID) – Main Event
– Skye Nicolson (AU) vs Tiara Brown (US) – WBC World Featherweight Title
– Cherneka Johnson (AU) vs Nina Hughes (UK) – WBA World Bantamweight Title (Rematch)
– Imam Khataev vs Durval Elias Palacio (ARG) – Light Heavyweight
– Teremoana Teremoana (AU) –Australia’s hottest heavyweight prospect
– Jayden Buan (AU) vs Fidlis Laia (PNG)
– More fighters to be announced