George Kambosos Jr is happy for Devin Haney to play "second fiddle" but only after seeing the contract after the American reportedly agreed, at last, to fight Australia's undisputed lightweight world champion.
Kambosos had wanted to take on Vasiliy Lomachenko, who was widely regarded as the premier pound-for-pound boxer in the world before losing to Teofimo Lopez in Las Vegas 18 months ago.
But the Ukrainian has opted to fight for his country in the war against Russia instead.
"I respect that a lot. He could lose his life and he's got family too," Kambosos said on Monday.
Kambosos will instead settle for Haney but promised Lomachenko he'd get his chance too "once I take this kid out" at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on June 5.
Haney, who holds the WBC world title, the only belt Kambosos doesn't own in the lightweight division, has reportedly agreed to the fight on the proviso the undefeated Australian gets an immediate rematch if he loses.
"Look, I'm still waiting to see his contract," Kambosos said after a two-minute Royal Rumble with champion jockey James McDonald at Randwick.
"I want to see that contract and we've got a fight 'cause the world and Haney has got to understand: they're the B side, they've got to do what we tell you.
"We're the A side. We've got all these belts and, when I see it, no problem -- we've got a fight.
"But just remember that I chose you. I could have taken anybody.
"The first choice was Lomachenko 'cause he's the more exceptional fighter, a brand.
"But Haney can play second fiddle and come to Australia. Pack his bags and bring his team over."
Kambosos has been taunting Haney for months and pointed out on Monday that the American only gained the WBC strap after it was vacated.
"He never actually had the pleasure of winning it in the ring," the Sydney slugger said.
"You know that feeling when you take it off a champion in his home town - and he's going to try to do that.
"But when I won all these belts, my hunger, my motivation went through the roof.
"Let's hope he comes on the plane and he comes and fights but he can only fight for so long before he starts running.
"He's good on his feet but it's only a matter of time before I cut him down and break him down and not only strip him of that version of his belt, but strip him of his career like I did with Teofimo Lopez.
"I didn't just take these belts off Lopez, I took everything away from him."
