Australia’s George Kambosos has delivered a huge warning to critics on the eve of his US world title blockbuster against Englishman Maxi Hughes, saying: “I’ve lost to one guy and I think the boxing world is forgetting that”.

Less than two years after causing one of the greatest upsets in the nation’s proud sporting history, Kambosos is back to take on IBO lightweight champ Hughes in Oklahoma this Sunday.

BOXING | SUN JULY 23: Australian George Kambosos Jr returns in a lightweight clash against Maxi Hughes. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

In what will be his first outing since suffering back-to-back defeats against the division’s now unified king Haney – who took all four belts against Kambosos — in a Melbourne stadium show last June, then defended four months later — the Aussie is promising to “destroy” Hughes, gift his son the belt as a birthday present, then take the whole family Croc shopping before heading back to the top of the division.

Speaking at a press conference in the States early Friday morning, Kambosos (20-2) also spoke about having morphed into a “greedy mother…er” who has learned plenty about himself, and the fight game, following those two Haney defeats.

“We all know Devin is a class act,” the Sydneysider started.

“And styles make fights.

“So you learn from these fights and I’ve now seen it all … championship after championship after championship.

“We can go from stadium fights to here in Oklahoma to Madison Square Garden taking all the belts – we’ve done it.

“And you learn a lot about yourself, the kind of guys you’re against, and you build from that.

“I’ve never been the guy who sits there and says ‘oh, I had a loss, that’s taken my confidence away’.

“I came up against Devin Haney.

“I lost to one guy and I think the boxing world is forgetting that.

“I have to remind them again.

“The biggest thing is – and excuse my French – I’m a greedy motherf…er now.

“So every hole there is, I’m gunna take it”.

Asked what would be going through his mind when entering the ring for his first US fight since upsetting Teofimo Lopez to become unified king in 2021, Kambosos continued: “Take his head off.

“As I said, I’m greedy and I’m looking to absolutely destroy this man in my path.

“And that’s no disrespect.

“Like I’ve said many times, I like Maxi.

“But there are levels to this.

“I’ve been there many times. And the way I feel right now, the sacrifices I’ve made in the US sparring, the training with the coaches, you’re going to see a different Ferocious.

“I’m going to show you who I am.”

Kambosos revealed that while the three massive fights against Lopez and then Haney had taken a toll, he was now rejuvenated after having spent a large chunk of this camp in Las Vegas preparing.

“If you look at the last year, three massive fights in 11 months,” he said.

“And big fights like that take a toll.

“But I’ve been able to step back, refresh the body and I’m here now, feel fantastic.

“Can’t wait to handle business.”

Hughes, meanwhile, said he was excited by the opportunity to headline what was described during the presser as his ‘Super Bowl’.

The reigning IBO champ also revealed Kambosos’s face had been “imprinted in my brain” since way back in February, when the contracts were signed.

With a smile, the Yorkshire product also revealed he had devoted some of his free time Stateside to buying “the little gems” that go into Crocs, for his two daughters.

At which point, Kambosos immediately said he was going on a gift run, too.

“You ask him what gifts he’s bringing,” he said. “I’m bringing a gift for my son as well.

“And that’s his IBO world title.

“It’s my son’s birthday (on fight day) and I’ve made the sacrifice to be away from them.

“They came in yesterday too, so that adds so much motivation having them ringside.

“So his present will be presented when I take this guy out and take his belt.

“And that’s no disrespect.

“He’s a family man as well. My kids like Crocs as well.

“(Laughs) Maybe after the fight we can talk about the different kinds of jibbitz or whatever they’re called.

“I’ll buy some for the kids as well.”

Elsewhere, Kambosos also suggested preparing this time around in the United States, rather than back home in Australia, would make a serious difference.

“Everyone knows the road that I took,” he said.

“I was in the US for many years and everyone kind of heard ‘who is this guy from Australia?’

“Then I got my opportunity and made that statement.

“As soon as I won the belts I went back home and, as much as I trained like an animal, there are distractions, I was trying to promote a stadium fight, it is what it is.

“I had to come back to the US to feel what it’s like here.

“Reinvent, relight that fire even more.

“I see this fight so clearly. There is not one bit of doubt in my mind that I will take this guy out.”

So as for what’s next with a win?

“I’m only focused on Maxi Hughes,” he continued.

“We give him the utmost respect.

“He’s here, this is his Super Bowl and we know what he’s going to bring.

“So whatever is to come, that will be spoken about after.

“But for now there is only one man in front of me and that’s what we’ve thought about for many months.

“It’s going to be a beautiful victory.”

Hughes said he was also excited to finally get the US headliner he has dreamed for years about.

“You start out, turn professional and watch all the big fights in America like ‘I want a bit of that’,” he said.

“I’ve had me tough times in boxing, but I’ve shown a lot of mental strength and got through to this point.

“I’ve earned my right to be on this stage as main event. I’m here on merit.

“(Laughs) Oklahoma was not on my list of places to visit.

“But when it came up, I’m halfway through watching Yellowstone at the minute so, it’s a cowboy town.

“I’ve been here a week and a half.

“We’ve been travelling around.

“Training in Oklahoma City, getting to know some locals. And I’m enjoying every minute of the journey.

“When all is said and done I’ll be proud of every minute of my career and I’m happy to be main event on Top Rank.”

Pushed on his preparation, Hughes said: “Since my last fight in September, I give myself a week off and then I’m back in.

“Learning, trying things, crafting.

“Then in February we got the deal done, and since then George’s name and face has been imprinted in my brain.

“It’s all we’ve spoken about.”