Maxi Hughes’ former trainer Gary Lockett believes that Vasyl Lomachenko is the favourite when he comes up against George Kambosos Jr,.
The Australian beat Hughes - who fights William Zepeda on Saturday live on DAZN - last summer, and is now preparing to take on the former unified lightweight champion on May 11 live on ESPN+ in the US (click here for details).
Kambosos was once unified champion at the weight, too, before losing to Devin Haney.
Kambosos Jr. made his name on the wider stage when he defeated Teofimo Lopez, the man who dispossessed Ukraine’s Lomachenko during the Covid pandemic, and he said that it could be the high point of the Australian's career.
“He looked a genius the night he beat Teofimo Lopez, and people say that there was something wrong with Lopez in the lead up and what have you, and that Lopez underestimated him,” Lockett said, reported BoxingScene.com.
“For whatever reason that night was his best night; I don’t think he’s ever going to be that good again, but Maxi had to travel to beat him and he’s a very capable fighter. He beat Lee Selby as well – Lee Selby was no mug; I don’t think he was at his best then; he was on his way down; but Kambosos performed well and beat him. This might be a taller task, but Maxi’s up to it.
“Lomachenko, absolutely [is the favourite against Kambosos Jr]. But this guy has been the victim of debatable decisions a couple of times. If it goes the distance – Lomachenko might have to get a stoppage in order to win [in Australia], so I can see a controversial win for Kambosos.”
Live on DAZN: Watch William Zepeda vs. Maxi Hughes on March 16