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Haney not rattled by Kambosos title fight

3 minute read

American Devin Haney says he's used to fighting in hostile environments ahead of his world title fight with Australia's George Kambosos in Melbourne.

After having his first four professional fights in a seedy pool hall in Tijuana, Mexico when still a teenager, the thought of taking on Australia's George Kambosos in Melbourne holds no fears for Devin Haney.

The 23-year-old American will fight Kambosos at Marvel Stadium on June 5 in front of an expected crowd of around 50,000.

The pair will square off to become undisputed world lightweight champion, with Haney looking to add the three belts owned by Kambosos to his WBC title.

Haney said that fighting in front of 100 or 100,000 people didn't faze him.

He started his professional career fighting in Mexico because as a 17-year-old he was too young to fight in the USA.

"It was pretty hostile but that's boxing," Haney told AAP.

"The boos are the boos no matter how many people and it's something that I'm used to.

"I looked forward to turning the boos into cheers when I come up victorious, that's the goal. Just like I did when I was in Tijuana.

"I'm looking forward to embracing the crowd in Australia and I'm looking forward to the energy the arena is going to bring so it's not going to be a bad thing."

With a 27-0 (15K0) record Haney felt becoming an undisputed champion was his destiny after starting his career so young.

He's trained by his father Bill Haney, who will accompany him with his team to Australia in early May for a three-week build-up.

"It's definitely a destiny, it's something that I've always dreamed of," Haney said.

"I never thought that it will come this early ... but this is my time to shine and to come out on top."

Kambosos (20-0, 10KO) claims he's already inside the head of Haney, after his mind games helped him dismantle his last opponent, another American Teofimo Lopez.

Haney says he's not so easily rattled.

"I don't really pay it too much mind - it's what it is with boxing," he said.

"I embrace it and it makes me train harder and to put on a better performance."

General admission tickets for the fight go on sale on Friday.