“Not Chasing Zero,” But Chasing Another Loss? Kambosos Jr.’s Bold Talk Masks Questionable Title Shot Against Hitchins

George Kambosos Jr. lectured IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins today during their press conference, telling him that he’s “not chasing zero” and that his focus is on fighting the best. Kambosos Jr. (22-3, 10 KOs) sounded a lot like he was trying to lessen the impact of three defeats in his last five fights ahead of their June 14th clash at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City.

Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) makes his first defense of his IBF title that he won last December against Liam Paro. Fans were hoping he’d fight one of the talented contenders, like Subriel Matias, Jamaine Ortiz, or Elvis Rodriguez. But instead, he picked the little ‘Emperor’ Kambosos in what is seen as a business-level fight.

“Not Zero” Logic

Fans have heavily criticized former unified lightweight champion Kambosos Jr. for being given a world title shot in just his second fight at 140 after recently defeating lower-level non-contender Jake Whyle in his debut in the light welterweight class last March. He’s getting the title shot more because of his popularity from his brief time as the unified 135-lb champion than because he earned it.

“I’m a true warrior as I was saying before to Hitchins. He’s so caught up on being 19-0. F*** the zero. I’d rather lose my zero to Haney and Lomachenko, fighting the best of the best, because I know what kind of a true champion I am. That’s what the fans want. That’s what the media wants,” said George Kambosos Jr. during today’s kickoff press conference for their fight on June 14th in New York.

You can’t deny that Kambosos Jr. has been fighting some good talents in the last few years, but he’s been losing to them. It’s great that he’s been willing to fight guys like Vasily Lomachenko and Haney, but it’s not a good look that he keeps getting beaten.

“The zero doesn’t matter. If we get the best fights happening now, who is going to be the winners? The fans, the media, the boxing, the sport, and the fighters because they’re going to be wanting to take a chance and fight the best,” said Kambosos.