‘Ferocious’ George Kambosos Jr headlines a blockbuster Australian Fight Night as he headlines his long-awaited homecoming in Sydney on Saturday, March 22 against Daud Yordan – live worldwide on DAZN, in partnership with DiBella Entertainment and Ferocious Promotions, and in association with Tasman Fighters and Goldstar.
The former undisputed World Lightweight Champion makes his introduction in the Super-Lightweight division on a huge card Down Under from Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena which features two unmissable Women’s World Title bouts with Skye Nicolson and Cherneka ‘Sugar’ Johnson looking to successfully defend their respective crowns on home soil.
And rising Heavyweight sensation Teremoana Teremoana will be out ensure that the Aussies rule when the Olympian bids for his seventh successive stoppage.
Kambosos Jr (21-3-0, 10 KOs) faces former two-weight IBO World Champion Yordan (43-4-0, 31 KOs) in the main event, looking to lay down a marker in one of the sport’s most exciting divisions.
The 31-year-old – who captured the IBF and WBO Lightweight belts by beating Teofimo Lopez in 2021 – has shared the ring with the likes of Devin Haney, Maxi Hughes and Lee Selby and returns to the ring for the first time since his war last May with the legendary Vasyl Lomachenko.
Indonesian opponent Yordan promises another stern test for Kambosos and is no stranger to fight fans, having previously held IBO World Titles at Lightweight and Featherweight and succumbing to a points defeat by Anthony Crolla in Manchester back in 2018.
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “This a brilliant card, headlined by the ferocious George Kambosos Jr in his hometown of Sydney. He’s a dangerous man and he will be in the mix of World Title conversations soon enough now he’s in the 140lbs division.
“There are two tremendous Women’s World Championship fights too, as Skye Nicolson defends her WBC Featherweight crown against a tough, mandatory in Tiara Brown – plus, Cherneka Johnson and Nina Hughes get the chance to go again for the WBA Bantamweight belt.
“Big, bruising Heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana will be out to put on another knockout performance in front of his home fans, and much more, in what promises to be an unbelievable night of boxing Down Under.”
George Kambosos Jr said: “Eight long years on the road, and finally I get to fight back in my hometown of Sydney, Australia.
“Moving up and having my 140-pound debut in front of my fans at a sold-out Sydney arena is the return I have always wanted. This is not just a fight; it’s an opportunity to inspire and give back to my loyal fans and to the community that has stuck by me all these years, the wait is now over.
“I will be facing a veteran of the sport and a fierce competitor, former two-time IBO World Champion and WBA World Title challenger Duad Yordan, ‘The Boxing Senator’, from Indonesia.
“The Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney will set the stage for me to make a statement return in front of my vocal hometown fans. I see this is as a testament to resilience, a celebration of my homecoming, expect fireworks and see you all March 22.”
Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment added: “I am excited to team up with Matchroom Boxing and TEG Sport to bring ‘Ferocious’ George Kambosos Jr. back to his hometown in Sydney where he will face former world champion Daud Yordan on March 22 at the Qudos Bank Arena.
“This is a tremendous style matchup between two come-forward pressure fighters. Yordan is no stranger Down Under with three wins on Australian soil, but George is ready to unleash his warrior spirit once again to put on a sensational performance in his junior welterweight debut.”
WBC World Featherweight queen Skye Nicolson (12-0, 1 KO), meanwhile, continues her quest to become ‘Future Undisputed’ – but must take care of undefeated, mandatory American rival, Overtime Boxing’s Tiara Brown (18-0, 11 KOs).
Defending her championship for the first time in her native Australia, Nicolson made history last October when she was the first female fighter to successfully retain her title in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the Riyadh Season curtain-raiser, when the Southpaw outclassed Raven Chapman to extend her flawless record.
“This is my homecoming as World Champion – a moment I have dreamed of and manifested: Bringing big world title action Down Under,” said Nicolson.
“Australian boxing is entering a golden era, and this is the time to get excited and be part of the journey. I’m taking on an undefeated and dangerous challenger with the support of the nation behind me.
“My opponent has had a lot to say and doesn’t believe I’m worthy of my status as World Champion. On March 22, she is going to eat her words in Sydney as I silence the doubters and critics all over again.”
Another long-standing rivalry will be settled in Sydney as Cherneka Johnson defends her WBA World Bantamweight title in a rematch against Nina Hughes, after their first fight was marred in controversy last May.
Britain’s Hughes (6-1-0, 2 KOs) will be hungry for retribution after she was initially declared as the winner before the ring announcer corrected himself by revealing Johnson (16-2-0, 6 KOs) as the victor by majority decision to become a two-weight World Champion.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring on another awesome show here in Australia,” said WBA World Bantamweight Champion Cherneka Johnson.
“I have no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be a career-best dominating performance.”
World Title Challenger, Nina Hughes added: “First and foremost, I have a lot of respect for Cherneka Johnson as an athlete – she’s a tough competitor. But this time around, I’m not leaving anything to chance or in the judges’ hands. I’ve trained harder, I’m sharper, and I’m ready to leave no doubt when I step in that ring.”
Rising Heavyweight sensation Teremoana Teremoana, meanwhile, is looking forward to adding more valuable experience as he plots his path to becoming a future World Champion in the sport.
“I’m excited to be back in action and heading to Sydney for another huge night for Australian boxing,” said Teremoana Teremoana.
“It’s another step on the ladder for me to get to the very top and I won’t be happy until I get there. People keep asking me if I want to get more rounds in and of course I’m ready for that and looking forward to it when it comes but if I can get someone out of there in 10 seconds, I will do it.
“I’m a chilled guy outside the ring but don’t get it twisted when that bell rings I’m in there to do damage and knock people out. That’s what people want to see from heavyweight boxing and it’s what I deliver.”
