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How George Kambosos Upset Teofimo Lopez & Shocked Boxing World

Dan Kilbridge for Bookies.com

Dan Kilbridge  | 

How George Kambosos Upset Teofimo Lopez & Shocked Boxing World

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George “Ferocious” Kambosos definitely earned a new moniker over the weekend. The 28-year-old Aussie was the Stunner from Down Under on Saturday night, beating unified champion Teofimo Lopez via split decision in a massive upset to win the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight belts at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre in New York City.

Kambosos was +600 on the moneyline entering the fight and rewarded boxing betting with an even more lucrative payout on method – the underdog was +1500 to win via decision at sportsbooks and pulled off the shocking victory on the scorecards at 115-111, 113-114, 115-112.

Kambosos Over Lopez A Historic Upset

Kambosos’ victory is one of the most unlikely in boxing history based on the odds. Some insisted the No. 9-ranked lightweight didn’t even deserve the title shot for the bout that was originally supposed to take place back in May. Lopez carried favorite odds of -1000 and was -250 to win by KO, TKO or DQ.

It wasn’t the biggest biggest boxing upsets upset ever based on the odds – that distinction belongs to Mike Tyson, who was a -4200 favorite at betting sites when he put his 37-0 record on the line against James “Buster” Douglas. Tyson ate a big uppercut in the 10th round and couldn’t recover, with Douglas pulling off what’s widely considered the biggest upset in boxing history given Tyson’s record and reputation at the time.

More recently, then-heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was a -2400 favorite for his title defense on betting apps against Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019. Ruiz scored the stunning victory with a TKO in the seventh round, much to the delight of the Madison Square Garden crowd. Joshua later recaptured his titles in a rematch, scoring a unanimous decision victory just six months later.

In terms of legendary upsets, Lopez has good company at least going down as a -1000 favorite. He was an even bigger favorite than George Forman entering his October 1974 fight with Muhammad Ali – Foreman was -700 after quickly knocking out Ken Norton and Joe Frazier, but Ali pulled off the upset with his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy.”

Win Kambosos Vs. Lopez Gloves

How would you like to take home a piece of boxing history? Bookies.com is giving away boxing gloves signed by both the former and current lightweight champions, with Kambosos and Lopez adding their signatures to the authentic gloves ahead of a fight that produced spectacular drama throughout.

Visit our Contest Page and simply enter your email address to enter the giveaway featuring one-of-a-kind memorabilia from an unforgettable night at Madison Square Garden. You can also click the “Enter to Win” button below.

How Kambosos Beat Lopez

Kambosos carried a quiet confidence into the fight against Lopez, a 24-year-old rising star ranked the No. 5 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The two didn’t waste any time with first-round exchanges that suggested something special could be in the works at the Garden.

Kambosos rocked Lopez and dropped him with a right hand amid a wild first-round exchange, earning confidence and setting the tone for a fight he would control in the early going. Lopez, unable to score the early KO victory he and most others predicted, started putting it together late in the bout and eventually dropped Kambosos with a right in the 10th round.

However, Kambosos was able to grind out the final rounds and finish strong to pull out the victory and remain unbeaten at 20-0, becoming the unified lightweight champion in the process.

It was the third straight split-decision win for Kambosos and by far the most unlikely on paper. While Lopez will have to lobby for a rematch following the first loss of his career, Kambosos now has the belts and the power atop the division following one of the biggest upsets in years.

About the Author

Dan Kilbridge for Bookies.com
Dan Kilbridge
Handicapper Dan Kilbridge writes about college football, MLB and other sports for Bookies.com after spending three years covering Tiger Woods’ comeback and the PGA for Golfweek.