George Rose has unveiled his bold plans for an all-Australian IBF welterweight title blockbuster between new champion Liam Paro and the man who once branded him “un-Australian” – George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos.
Only days after declaring boxing megastar Manny Pacquaio at the top of a Paro wish list featuring names like Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero, Rose has also now added the man responsible for one of the greatest upsets anywhere in Australian sporting history.
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The Kambosos announcement comes as Rose also confirmed an unbeaten Nikita Tszyu will almost certainly face hyped Queenslander Ben Mahoney next up — and with the winner potentially catapulted straight at IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly.
Other domestic fights on the Rose hit list include:
· Paulo Aokuso v Kirra Ruston
· Harry Garside v Ahmad Reda
· Liam Wilson v Jake Wyllie
Less than a fortnight on from Paro’s brutal IBF win over Lewis Crocker, Rose has confirmed his desire to now make a fight against Kambosos, who famously upset Teofimo Lopez in 2020.
Currently, Kambosos is not ranked in the IBF welterweight top 15 however, meaning for a title fight to take place there would have to be petitioning done with the organisation’s top officials.
Fox Sports Australia understands No Limit also remains in discussions for a huge Pacquiao showdown, with Rose also having stated recently how “Manny is the one fight we want to make for Liam”.
Elsewhere, Paro also has nine months until he must take on his mandatory, Paddy Donovan.
In a statement released by No Limit on Tuesday, Rose announced the five biggest domestic fights he wants to make over the next year – with Paro versus Kambosos at the top of his list.
“This is the top domestic fight that I want to make here in the next 12 months,” the press release read. “This is the fight that carries the most leverage here.
“Both of these guys are responsible for the biggest upsets on foreign soil in Australian boxing.
“Lionel Rose versus Fighting Harada, great win. Then Kambosos versus Teofimo Lopez, and Liam Paro vs Subriel Matias … three of the biggest upsets that we’ll ever see that happened on foreign soil.
“These two guys have been in some of the best fights I’ve ever seen and that’s a fight I’d like to make happen. George Kambosos has had a tremendous career and Liam Paro is well and truly on his way to becoming one of our greatest Australian boxers ever.”
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia last week, No Limit is already well along in plans to have Nikita Tszyu throw down in August against Mahoney, who is ranked at No.10 in the IBF super welterweight division.
Nikita, meanwhile, is at seven, while older brother Tim Tszyu is at No.6.
Now Rose has confirmed his interest, naming Tszyu-Mahoney as the second biggest fight he wants to make domestically.
“Ben Mahoney has a tremendous resume,” he said in the statement. “He’s undefeated, he’s world ranked and Nikita Tszyu, he’s the star of Australian boxing.
“Nikita Tszyu is a pay-per-view headliner. He makes people tune in and puts it all on the line every time he fights.
“So a domestic match up makes complete sense.
“They’re both world ranked and they’re both on the way to world title opportunities. They’re both still young as well, so Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney is a fight I want to make.”
Speaking last week, both Mahoney and his promoter, Tasman Fighters boss Mick Francis, confirmed No Limit had put an offer to the 31-year-old who once broke the jaw of fellow Queenslander Benjamin Hussain in a 2020 classic.
Paro ready to defend belt against anyone | 00:52
“So I’m not here to f*** around,” the undefeated puncher declared. “Right now, I’m in my prime as a fighter and the winner of this fight between Nikita and I, they’ll then go on to massive things.
“Honestly, I’m getting goosebumps just talking about it now. And that’s because I have such belief in what I can do.
“I mean, if Nikita isn’t ready to test himself with a fight like this, or I wasn’t ready … we shouldn’t be doing this sport.
“And I’m the biggest test of Nikita Tszyu’s career, I can guarantee that.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to Paro versus Kambosos, there is also plenty of bad blood between the two Australian stars.
Only last year, Kambosos branded Liam Paro “un-Australian” – and jealous of his successes – after the hyped No Limit signing suggested ‘Ferocious’ would get kayoed in his IBF super lightweight bout against Richardson Hitchins.
While Kambosos would eventually be stopped in the eighth, he took aim at Paro during the build for the Queenslander’s assertion, when asked for a tip, that: “I’ll be putting money for George not to see the final bell”.
Replying on Instagram, Kambosos wrote: “How unAustralian. Good to see your real colours mate.
“I backed you like I back every Aussie, I guess (you) got jealous, signed with a bunch of cowboys and the real hate comes out. No wonder you unfollowed me. Good for you guys. God bless.”
Elsewhere, Rose also talked up his interest in having another two undefeated Australian light heavyweight prospects throw down.
Aokuso is undefeated in all 10 professional outings, while Ruston is unbeaten in nine fights.
“Both of these guys are young in their careers, but very talented prospects,” Rose stressed. “Everybody that’s been put in front of them, they’ve wiped the floor with.
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“Everybody that you speak to about this potential match up, the fighter who fought last is who people are picking as the favourite. If Kirra fought last, he’s the favourite. Paulo, same thing.
“That’s how closely matched this fight will be and if we are able to make this fight happen, it’s an absolute fantasy match up for Australian fight fans”.