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George Kambosos and Devin Haney focused on each other in Melbourne rematch for undisputed lightweight titles

Redemption is one of sports' greatest selling points.

Often athletes don't get a second chance to rectify a mistake. 

Ben Hunt will never get a chance to catch that kick off in an NRL grand finalno matter how many Origin moments he provides for Queensland.

Luis Advíncula will never score the penalty past the grey Wiggle Andrew Redmayne to take Peru to the 2022 World Cup.

George Kambosos Jr (20-1, 10KOs) though, can win back the WBO, WBA, IBF and The Ring belts so comprehensively snatched from him by a masterful Devin Haney (28-0, 15KOs) last June — and take the American's WBC (Super) strap as well.

If he is to do so, when the pair meet in their undisputed lightweight rematch on Sunday in Melbourne, he's going to have to go about things very differently than he did last time around.

"Did I focus more on my brand? Maybe yes," Kambosos admitted on Main Event of his preparation for last time out.

Follow all the action from Rod Laver Arena in our live blog.

"Focus on the hype … making a successful event instead of worrying about what got me there.

"That [Teófimo] López lead up, that [Lee] Selby, that [Mickey] Bey lead up. The hard work where there was no distractions, no noise.

"It becomes distracting. Because you focus on your brand and there's a lot of commitments as a champion."

That lack of focus was painfully evident when Kambosos shockingly missed the weight at the first time of asking.

That setback, which Kambosos attributed cryptically to "the art of war", sensationally implying that it was on purpose while playing to the gallery, could not mask the somewhat lackadaisical error.

Even as Kambosos made light of the situation, saying all he needed to do to lose the 139 grams was use the toilet, it was an error symbolic of a man performing to the crowd as opposed to a business-like champion solely focused on his craft.  

"I'm not a champion who's quiet," Kambosos said in the Main Event interview.

"I am outspoken, I am charismatic and that's what drove such a big event."

That much is true. Over 40,000 spectators at Docklands can tell you that.

But after witnessing a one-sided exhibition from the American, it seems Kambosos has gone back to the drawing board.

"You live and you learn," Kambosos said.

"My mindset now is, yes, he won. It's what he did. 

"It's what you do now. This is what matters. It's a two-part fight."

Sole focus on each other

The men's lightweight division is the hottest in boxing.

With the big-name heavyweights stalling on their proposed fights and most of the other divisions either fragmented or overly reliant on one man (read: Canelo Álvarez) the talent-filled, animosity-driven, 135-pound weight limit has a litany of possible fights ready and waiting to happen.

Some observers have been unhappy that this rematch — a clause that Kambosos enacted immediately after losing in June — has eaten up four months in which "better" match-ups could be made, such as between Haney and Vasyl Lomachenko (16-2), Isaac Cruz (24-2-1), Gervonta Davis (27-0) and Ryan Garcia (23-0).

But to do so would be to ignore the very real threat that Kambosos provides.

It's also telling that neither man, in a recent Main Event interview, would be drawn on those other names.

"There's no way I can be looking past him [Kambosos]," Haney said.

"He's right there in front of me. That's the man I've got to go through.

"Once I go through him, then we'll talk about what's next. But my main focus is him."

Kambosos was the same.

"Devin Haney — that's all that's been on my mind since the champ beat me that night.

"All these other fighters are great fighters, great champions.

"Everyone's going to fight eventually, but like he's focused on me, I'm very focused on him."

But how can Kambosos turn around such a one-sided defeat in just four months?

Haney has proven himself a master at hitting and not being hit — it's not particularly aesthetically pleasing, but he's not here for style points. He's here to win and his 

In June, the 23-year-old's precise jab and lightning footwork made Kambosos look stodgy and tentative in the biggest fight of his career.

Kambosos can't afford to be caught flat-footed a second time and will hope to take the fight to the American, although that will leave him more open to Haney's sniping jabs.

When is Kambosos vs Haney 2?

The rematch is set to take place on Sunday afternoon to capture the US Saturday night prime-time market.

The main event will likely take place from 2:00pm AEDT.

How can I watch Kambosos vs Haney 2?

You can watch the match by shelling out $59.95 on Main Event or Kayo.

Follow all the action, including on the undercard, in our live blog

Who is fighting on the Haney-Kambosos undercard?

On a packed undercard, both Moloney twins will be in action at Rod Laver Arena.

Jason Moloney (24-2, 19KOs) will take on 31-year-old Thai veteran Nawaphon Kaikanha (56-1-1, 46KOs) in a IBF super bantamweight eliminator fight.

Andrew Moloney (24-2, 16KOs) will fight for the vacant WBO International super flyweight title against Norbelto Jimenez (31-9-6, 16KOs).

Brisbane-based Kiwi Cherneka Johnson (14-0, 6KOs) is also in action, taking on Susie Ramadan (29-3, 12KOs) for the IBF super bantamweight title, a month after the alleged murder of her brother Levi

  • Devin Haney vs George Kambosos Jr. — lightweight
  • Cherneka Johnson vs Susie Ramadan — super bantamweight
  • Jason Moloney vs Nawaphon Kaikanha — bantamweight
  • Andrew Moloney vs Norbelto Jimenez — super flyweight
  • David Nyika vs Titi Motusaga — cruiserweight
  • Hemi Ahio vs Fainga Opelu — heavyweight
  • Amari Jones vs Tej Pratap Singh— super welterweight
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