VASYL LOMACHENKO scored a brutal 11th-round stoppage of a bloodied George Kambosos Jr to capture the IBF lightweight title.
The Ukrainian returned from a year-long layoff early on Sunday morning to lock horns with the former unified lightweight champion Down Under.
The vacant IBF 135lbs title was up for grabs in the Perth punch-up, which Loma dominated from the opening bell.
Lomachenko, 36, quickly established his range after the opening bell and swiftly built a lead in the early embers of the bout.
Kambosos Jr, however, found success in the third round with some body shots, which proved to be some of his best punches of the fight.
The contest, at times, was target practice for the fleetfooted Loma, who opened up a gaping wound above the right eye of the Aussie-born Greek in the eighth round.
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And the fan favourite looked to close the show in the 11th stanza, brutalising the body of the Kambosos with a ferocious left hook to the liver.
Kambosos Jr, somehow, managed to beat the count and get back to his feet.
Sensing the end was near, Lomachenko unleashed more punishing body shots which folded the Aussie and prompted the referee to wave off the contest.
Kambosos Jr cut a crestfallen figure after his third defeat in his last four outings.
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But he showed his class by showering his opponent with praise moments after failing in his second bid to become a two-time world champion.
The 30-year-old said of the future of hall-of-famer: “This guy is one of the best of all time.
“We tried our best, but he’s a good champion. He deserves that belt.
“I gave it my all. I’m still alive, I’m still standing. I ain’t dead.”
Lomachenko’s capturing of the belt Teofimo Lopez pipped him to in their Covid clash in October 2020 was watched by several fighters.
Gervonta Davis was one of the many interested observers and called out the former three-weight world champion in a now-deleted tweet.
‘Tank’ – who is gearing up to fight Frank Martin next month – tweeted: “He’s after Frank. Let me get Frank first.”
And Lomachenko wasted little time in responding to the controversial American, saying: “During my boxing career, I never run.
“I always take the fights.
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“Right now, I want to come back to my home, spend time with my family.
“And after then I rest a little bit we can talk about future.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
