George Kambosos Jr. versus Maxi Hughes Oklahoma Card USA ESPN Shawnee Preview
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Shawnee, Oklahoma (July 22nd, 2023)– Former International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association, and World Boxing Organisation World Lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr., coming off of two unsuccessful 12 round decision loss attempts to win the unified World Lightweight title from Devin Haney, will return to the ring as the main event of a USA ESPN seven bout card on Saturday evening, July 22, 2023, in the neutral territory of Firelake Arena, Shawnee, Oklahoma, part of the citizen Potawatomi Native American Nation.
Kambosos, 20-2 with 10 knockouts, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, will face southpaw Maxi Hughes, 26-5-2 with five knockouts, Rossington, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, a former BBBofC British and current International Boxing Organisation World Lightweight champion, for the IBO World Lightweight title of Hughes. Kambosos is predicted to win by decision, which will put him back at the top of the heap in the lightweight mix, though not necessarily in line for a third attempt at Haney. Perhaps Kambosos, with the win, could gain an opportunity to fight ex-champion Vasyl Lomachenko if Kambosos wins the IBO title.
In the preliminary bout to the main event, 2020 Tokyo Japan Olympics silver medalist Keyshawn Davis, 8-0 with six knockouts, will defend his World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental and World Boxing Council USA regional lightweight titles against dangerous Belgian challenger Francesco Patera, 28-3 with 10 knockouts, Genk, Limburg, Belgium, a former Belgian and European Lightweight champion. Davis is predicted to retain his regional title by a close but unanimous 10 round decision in a hard fought war.
Robert Brizel Undercard Predictions at Firelake Arena, Featuring Three Heavyweight Bouts
Giovani Santillan Win 10 Erick Bone, Welterweights
Troy Isley Win 8, Antonio Todd, Middleweights
Hemi Ahio TKO 7 Amron Sands, Heavyweights
Stephan Shaw Win 8 Joseph Goodall Jr., Heavyweights
Jeremiah Milton Win 8 Willie Harvey, Heavyweights
Kambosos Jr. vs. Hughes Betting Odds: