Devin Haney outclassed Australia’s George Kambosos Jnr today to be crowned the undisputed lightweight champion of the world in a cruel blow to the Aussie’s maiden title defence.

The 23-year-old Las Vegas native showed why he is touted as the next big thing in boxing as he went on to make history in the lightweight division by becoming the first lightweight fighter to unify the WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBC belts.

Over 40,000 fans turned out at Melbourne’s Marvel stadium to cheer on Kambosos in his first fight on home soil in five years after the Sydneysider shocked the world late last year to clinch the WBA, IBF, WBO, as well as the Ring magazine belts from American Teofimo Lopez.

Both men came into the fight undefeated, with 47 victories between them, and with Kambosos intent on extending his reign against the talent-packed division’s best fighters. But Haney spoiled the party – the fleet footed American displaying exemplary evasive skills and a great jab to secure the win by unanimous decision (116-112, 116-112 and 118-110).

“I take my hat off to him because he’s a true warrior,” Haney said after his win. “Thank you George for giving me the shot. A lot of these so-called champions wouldn’t give me my shot. But George gave me my shot.”

Haney’s footwork was pivotal to his victory, as Kambosos struggled to land clean shots on his opponent during the fight. He  used his left jab to great effect to nullify Kambosos’ strong fighting game in the pocket. After a measured start Haney began to warm to the contest in the third round, working the jab to produce a flurry of punches that repeatedly pushed the fighter from Sydney to the ropes and threw him off balance.

Despite Haney’s jabbing onslaught, Kambosos held his own, landing several jabs with his right hand and worked jabs with his left to halt an advancing Haney.

Known as “ferocious”, the Australian displayed his intensity with an unrelenting pace during the fight and landed a left hook late in the fourth round in what was one of the best punches he landed in the fight.

Haney however continued to unravel his opponent with a constant barrage of jabs, as his father Bill urged his son in between rounds to pepper the 27-year-old with what was evidently the game plan. Commentators were left in awe of Haney’s impenetrable defence as he pressed forward with his jab.

Kambosos landed another left hook in the sixth round after forcing Haney away from the center of the canvas and managed to land an overhand right late in the round. The fight remained delicately balanced well into the eight round despite Haney’s formidable technique keeping Kambosos at bay.

Sensing that Kambosos was behind, the home fans began to raise their voices, but it wasn’t enough to get the Aussie the win as Haney wound the clock down in rounds 11 and 12 to clinch all four belts in a historic fight.

The two fighters are contracted to fight again in Australia with a rematch clause in Kambosos’ favour, however Haney in a post-fight interview seemed to questioned if it would happen.

I had my moment in… last November and… my moment was wrecked.

The Aussie was gracious in defeat telling Main Event he did not want to ruin the occasion for Haney after having his victory overshadowed by controversial remarks by Lopez whom he fought to previously at Madison Square Garden in New York City to claim the belts that have now left his side.

“I’m going to give him (Haney) full respect after his victory today… let him have his time… I’m not going to wreck his moment… I had my moment in… last November and… my moment was wrecked…

“We’ll do it again… I’ll have to implement a few things… but I thought the fight was very close.

“I’ll see you again real soon.”

The match ended a week of drama that saw Haney’s father and head trainer granted a last-minute visa exemption to enter the country and be by his son’s side for the fight in what was looking like an unlikely proposition heading into Sunday’s bout.

It didn’t end there after Kambosos – an underdog heading into the fight, failed to make the required 135-pound weight limit at the weigh in on Saturday after tipping the scales to 135.36 pounds in his first attempt. He managed to make the weight later that afternoon to avoid forfeiting the belts even before a punch was landed.

Main image screenshot Fox Sports.