George Kambosos's bout with Devin Haney for the world lightweight title has been confirmed for June 5 at Docklands in Melbourne.
Kambosos was on hand at the stadium on Friday to announce the battle with the unbeaten Haney, which will be the biggest fight staged on Australian soil since Jeff Horn fought Manny Pacquiao in 2017.
Already the holder of the WBA, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles since stunning the previously undefeated Lopez at New York's Madison Square Garden, Kambosos can become the division's unified champion with victory over Haney, who has the WBC strap.
The 28-year-old says he cannot wait to throw all his belts on the line in one of Australian boxing's biggest-ever fights.
"I thrive on it because I've got a lot more to lose. And when you've got a lot more to lose, you prepare like a man possessed," Kambosos said.
"I'm becoming a better fighter than I was in the Lopez fight — 100 per cent better.
"I'm lifting more than ever, I'm more explosive than ever. My times, my running, my boxing — everything is better."
For so long the hunter, Kambosos said he loved being the hunted now.
"It's good because I've had to hunt and chase these guys for many years and do it on their terms and on their turf," he said.
"So now I have control."
But Haney (27-0, 15KO) is making no secret he wants control, with the 23-year-old from Las Vegas complaining about his deal with Kambosos (20-0, 10KO).
"I'm taking a lot less money than what I should be making," Haney told FightHype.com.
"It's about my name being in the history books. Can't be the 'money man' without going through the 'pretty boy' stage.
"When I get the belts, then I can write my own cheques."
Haney only secured his opportunity to capture Kambosos's four belts after the Sydney slugger's slated showdown with Vasiliy Lomachenko fell through when the Ukrainian opted to fight in the war against Russia.
"I respect it because they're going through a lot of hardship at the moment. You've got to admire that," Kambosos said.
"He could lose his life, like we could lose our life in the ring. But this guy can actually lose his life in the war.
"You don't know what can happen. All of a sudden there could be bombs and rocket ships and missiles attacking his city.
"He's got a family, too, and I respect that a lot. I want him to stay safe, his family to stay safe."
AAP/ABC
