Open workout: WBC lightweight champ Devin Haney receives warm welcome from Australian fans

The weather was somewhat chilly, but WBC lightweight world champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney received a surprisingly warm reception from the Australian fans at Thursday’s open workout at Melbourne’s Federation Square.

Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) will meet Australia’s unified lightweight world champion George Kambosos Jr. (20-0, 10 KOs)  Sunday afternoon (Saturday evening U.S. time) for the undisputed title in front of 50,000-plus fans at Marvel Stadium. 

Despite the plethora of Australian and Greek flags — Kambosos is of Greek descent — the local fans showed respect for the 23-year-old American star, who has been in Melbourne for the better part of two weeks.

Kambosos entered the ring to raucous cheers, the Australian and Greek flags draped over his shoulders. 

“Born ready,” Kambosos said, as he proceeded to shadow box and soak in the long-awaited homecoming. Kambosos, who hails from Sydney, has not boxed at home since 2017.

Since then, he has won fights in America, Malaysia, England and Greece, a Cinderella run that culminated in last November’s stunning upset over Teofimo Lopez.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 02: during a public training session ahead of the World Lightweight Undisputed Championship, at Federation Square on June 02, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)

Kambosos-Haney, the 10-round Jason Moloney-Aston Palicte bantamweight battle, and a 10-round heavyweight showdown between Junior Fa and Lucas Browne will be broadcast Saturday LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

UPCOMING FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 2 (U.S.) / Friday, June 3 (Melbourne)
Kambosos vs. Haney Final Press Conference

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

11 a.m. local time

Streaming on ESPN+ and Top Rank’s YouTube and Twitter pages

Friday, June 3 (U.S.) / Saturday, June 4 (Melbourne)
Kambosos vs. Haney Weigh-in

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT 

10 a.m. local time 

Streaming on ESPN+ and Top Rank’s YouTube and Twitter pages
 
Saturday, June 4 (U.S.)  / Sunday, June 5 (Melbourne)
Main Card
Live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

* The Amari Jones-Ankush Hooda & Andrew Moloney-Alexander Espinoza bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ following the main event

Undercard Bouts
7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
Streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+