'Respect me': Aussie champ in fiery exchange as title fight confirmed

Aussie lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. and American opponent Devin Haney have exchanged words after announcing their title fight on June 5 in Melbourne.

In a historic moment for the city, Melbourne will host the lightweight title fight at Marvel Stadium where both fighters will be looking to make history and become the first man to hold all the belts in the four-belt era.

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Kambosos caused the boxing upset of the year in 2021 when he defeated Teofimo Lopez in Brooklyn to take home the WBO, WBA and IBF belts.

Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) owns the WBC lightweight title while Kambosos is the WBC's franchise champion.

Kambosos and Haney were dialled into a video call to announce the fight for the first time since the pair exchanged words on social media.

Haney let rip at Kambosos for calling him a 'kid'.

“First off I want to say I’m not a kid, stop calling me a kid. I’m a man and I will show him that in the ring," he said.

"Respect me as a man.”

Kambosos called for Haney to 'show me' he deserves the respect.

"He can say he chose me but that is not the truth," Haney added.

"He was forced into this fight. He did not want to fight me."

Kambosos added: “You were chosen boy. You were chosen. You were forced into this position.”

Haney finished after telling Kambosos he would beat him in his backyard.

Kambosos and Haney exchange words before fight

Reports suggested the original bout was meant to see Vasily Lomachenko travel to Australia, but the Ukrainian ruled it out and announced he would stay to fight for his nation.

Since then, it was widely touted Kambosos and Haney had come to an agreement.

Kambosos (20-0, 10 KOs) reached out to Haney on Twitter in March about the fight.

"You were offered it (the fight) months ago & you played around," Kambosos tweeted to Haney.

"In the meantime the great man Vasiliy Lomachenko made it very simple to do anything to make it happen & it was a done deal. But Loma now has a bigger fight which I totally respect so let's see how much of your word is true."

Kambosos posted a photo of a dog behind a fence, with Haney's face photoshopped on its head.

"When the gate is closed the little dog barks and is full of energy but let's see when the gate is fully open if the little dog still has the same bark and energy. Tick tock", the Sydneysider wrote on his story.

He then posted the flight time from Las Vegas to Melbourne which appeared to rile Haney.

"I know how long the flight is... long as my d***! Don't try to talk me out of it b**** I'm on my way!," Haney responded.

50,000 people are expected to jam into Marvel Stadium for the historic boxing event.

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