Tensions boiled over at a heated press conference between George Kambosos and Richardson Hitchins ahead of their upcoming IBF super-lightweight title bout, as a proposed $50,000 wager led to a physical altercation between the two camps.
Hitchins, the current champion, arrived at the New York press event with $50,000 in cash, challenging the Australian challenger to put his money where his mouth is ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“As far as George Kambosos, a lot of people want to say that – you know when they face me a lot of guys game plan to go forward, hit him in the shoulder, break him down,” Hitchins said during the press conference. “That’s every guy’s f**king game plan. I think that George Kambosos is at this level because obviously he’s got boxing skills. That’s what f***ed Teofimo up.”
The undefeated American champion continued:
“Saturday night I’ll be right in front of him all night long and if he’s confident in himself, they say I’m easy work. I know for sure I’m confident in myself, I’ve been saying it since the face off. I want to bet $50,000. His dad said he got the bet, so hold up, he said bring the money. The money’s here, hold up.”
The situation quickly deteriorated when Kambosos alleged the cash Hitchins displayed was “fake,” triggering a confrontation that saw members of both teams clash on stage. Security personnel were forced to intervene as Kambosos’ father and trainer Jim reportedly confronted Hitchins’ trainer Lenny Wilson, who at one point grabbed a chair amid the chaos.
For Kambosos, 31, the bout represents another opportunity to reclaim championship glory. The Australian famously stunned Teofimo Lopez in New York in 2021 to capture the lightweight titles, and now returns to familiar territory where he boasts a 2-0 record.
“As you know, I love that underdog role, but there are no maybes, I’m doing this. There’s no fake stuff,” Kambosos said. “I’m going to this home in a familiar place where I’m 2-0 already. This is the trifecta.”
The challenger added:
“I’m coming here as the underdog and I’m coming here to win this fight. You have seen it before and I’m here to win this fight; whatever it takes there is no plan B.”
Kambosos, whose only career defeats have come against Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko, moved up to super-lightweight earlier this year with a victory over Jake Wyllie in March.
Meanwhile, Hitchins, 27, captured the IBF title in December by defeating Liam Paro, spoiling hopes of an all-Australian title bout against Kambosos.
“I’ve seen it all at the highest level and have been at the pinnacle and he isn’t,” Kambosos concluded. “When you face the best and beat the best and lose to the best you’re still here. This warrior is still here back at his favourite home grounds to do the trifecta in a Matchroom show and I never lost in America or a Matchroom show.”
The championship bout is scheduled for this Saturday in what promises to be an explosive encounter following the heated press conference confrontation.
