Fenech: Go for the quick kill

AUSTRALIAN boxing legend Jeff Fenech has backed George Kambosos to make history by beating Devin Haney and become the first unified lightweight champion of the four-belt era.

Fenech, an International Boxing Hall of Fame icon, believes Kambosos (20-0, 10KO) can stop Haney (27-0, 15KO), but he urged “Ferocious” to attack the American from the opening seconds of their Marvel Stadium spectacular.

“I reckon there will be a stoppage. It could be early,” Fenech said.“Both these guys are explosive speed punchers and if one of them gets hit early, they are good finishers. George is like a dog with a bone and if he can sense Haney is hurt, he will be straight on to him.

“There is only one key for George. He has to make Haney fight on George’s terms.

“Haney is a magnificent boxer, so George has to be the aggressor and come out from the opening rounds on the front foot.

“George can’t respond to Haney. He has to get after the fight.”

Haney’s legendary promoter Bob Arum believes the fight will go the full 12 rounds with the 23year-old American to edge out Kambosos on points.

“Devin is something special,” Arum said. “He is the superior boxer and he has a great talent for balance and manoeuvrability and that goes a long way in the lighter divisions.

“Haney is very hard to tag with a good punch and that makes him a very formidable foe. You can’t write off Kambosos, he is a tough kid, he is very brave and a hard worker.

“The biggest challenge for George is not to expend all of his energy chasing Haney. He has to be patient and save his energy for the last part of the fight. If he goes chasing Haney for the first part of the fight he won’t have anything left in the later rounds. Haney doesn’t have a real knockout punch, so I think it will go the distance and Haney will win on points.”