Devin Haney dominates George Kambosos in rematch to retain lightweight titles

American outclasses Australian opponent in Melbourne to remain undisputed champion

Devin Haney of the US (C) celebrates defeating George Kambosos of Australia to become the undisputed lightweight boxing world champion in Melbourne on October 16, 2022. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Devin Haney throws a punch at George Kambosos during their undisputed lightweight bout. AFP

Devin Haney and George Kambosos fight during their undisputed lightweight bout. AFP

Devin Haney lands a punch on George Kambosos during their bout in Melbourne. AFP

Devin Haney lands a punch on George Kambosos during their bout for the undisputed lightweight title. AFP

Devin Haney lands a right hook on George Kambosos during their bout in Melbourne. AFP

George Kambosos lands a body shot on Devin Haney. EPA

Devin Haney celebrates with the belts after defeating George Kambosos. EPA

Devin Haney misses with an uppercut during his bout with George Kambosos. EPA

Devin Haney kept his unbeaten record intact on Sunday by battering Australian George Kambosos in a rematch to remain undisputed lightweight world champion.

The 23-year-old American successfully defended his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena in a unanimous points decision with one judge scoring the bout 119-109 in his favour, with the other two both having it 118-110.

Haney now looks set for a fight next with two-time Olympic champion Vasiliy Lomachenko.

"I went in with the jab but also wanted to show other tools in my arsenal," said Haney after pummelling Kambosos, who did well to still be there after 12 rounds.

"When I first came out I couldn't interact but I caught up with his timing and I started picking my shots. He's a player, I take my hat off to George Kambosos."

Haney is only the eighth boxer to hold all four belts from the major sanctioning bodies – WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – at the same time.

He beat Kambosos unanimously in June to achieve the feat and become the first undisputed lightweight champion in modern boxing history, since Pernell Whitaker in 1990, and the first in the four-belt era, which began in 2004

A rematch was in his contract and he again used his sensational speed, instinct, and relentless left jab, but this time also deployed big right-hand blows that left the Australian a bloodied mess.

Victory in the 135-pound limit fight stretched Haney's phenomenal record to 29-0 with 15 KOs, while inflicting only the second defeat on Kambosos who is now 21-2.

The Australian suggested before the fight he could retire if he lost and the chances of him getting another world title crack now appear slim. But he put an end to retirement talk after the fight.

"He's a great fighter. He gave me a boxing lesson the first time but I came here and gave it my all. It is what it is," he said. "It's not the end, I'll be back."

On a bumper undercard, two-time world title challenger Jason Moloney of Australia beat Thailand's Nawaphon Kaikanha in the final eliminator for the WBC bantamweight title, winning with a unanimous verdict.

A second world title fight saw Australia's women's IBF super-bantamweight champion Cherneka Johnson defend her title.

Despite a deep cut that left her covered in blood, she beat Australian former two-time world belt-holder Susie Ramadan, also in a unanimous decision.