(March 27th) The opponent has changed, but the stakes are just as high for Australian standout Andrew Moloney. Pedro Guevara will now fight Moloney for the vacant WBC Interim junior bantamweight world title on Sunday, May 12 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

Guevara replaces former world champion Carlos Cuadras, who was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a torn Achilles suffered in training. Moloney-Guevara will be the co-feature to the vacant IBF lightweight world title showdown between Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. In other world championship action on the bill, WBA bantamweight world champion Nina Hughes looks to turn back the challenge of one-time world champion Cherneka “Sugar Neekz” Johnson.

Promoted by DiBella Entertainment, Top Rank, Ferocious Promotions, TEG Sport and Duco Events, Lomachenko-Kambosos and the two additional world title fights will be broadcast in prime time in the United States on Saturday, May 11 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.

“I’m grateful that Top Rank and my team were able to get such a great opponent so quickly and to still be fighting for the WBC Interim world title,” Moloney said. “Guevara has only lost to world champions, and each of his defeats have come by either split or majority decision. I look forward to being the first person to beat him convincingly and making a massive statement.”

"This is a fantastic opportunity. Moloney is a great fighter, but I want the WBC green belt,” Guevara said. “It’s an honor to be part of the Lomachenko-Kambosos event. I’m very grateful to Top Rank, All Star Boxing and Bxstrs Promotions for making this happen. I will not let my Mexican people down."

Moloney (26-3, 16 KOs) is unbeaten when fighting on Australian soil and looks to continue his climb back up the 115-pound rankings. After suffering a 12th-round stoppage defeat to Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight world title last May, he returned in December with a convincing decision over Judy Flores in Melbourne, Australia. Guevara (41-4-1, 22 KOs), from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, is a former WBC light flyweight world champion who made two world title defenses in 2015. He challenged Kenshiro Teraji for that title in 2017, dropping a majority decision. Guevara saw his 10-fight winning streak end when he lost a split decision to Cuadras last November for the WBC Interim junior bantamweight world title. In February, he outlasted Lamberto Macias via 10-round decision in Mazatlán.

In other undercard action, streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, knockout sensation Imam Khataev (6-0, 6 KOs) steps up against Ričards Bolotņiks (20-7-1, 8 KOs). Khataev, who trains in Sydney, Australia, earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. As a professional, he has yet to be pushed past the third round.

Two action-packed heavyweight fights, which will take place after the main event, have been added to the card. Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne (31-5, 27 KOs) returns to Australian soil to face New Zealand’s Hemi Ahio (21-1, 16 KOs) in an eight-rounder. The last time Browne fought in Australia, he shocked Junior Fa with a first-round knockout on the first Kambosos-Devin Haney card in Melbourne.

And, in an all-Australian 10-rounder, Faiga Opelu (16-4-2, 12 KOs) will battle former amateur standout Joe Goodall (10-2-1, 9 KOs). Opelu hopes to notch his second straight win, while Goodall loos to rebound from last November’s stoppage defeat to Nigerian knockout artist Efe Ajagba.

(January 30th) Australia’s fighting emperor and former unified world champion, George Kambosos Jr., is on a mission for a new belt. Standing in his way is a Ukrainian fight legend, Vasiliy Lomachenko, a three-division world champion intent on writing another triumphant chapter in his Hall of Fame career.

Lomachenko and Kambosos will clash for the vacant IBF lightweight world title as part of a world title tripleheader on Sunday, May 12, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Two additional world title fights will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I am excited for the opportunity to fight once again for a world title. George Kambosos Jr. is a good fighter, and I know I must prepare well to earn the victory,” Lomachenko said. “Fighting in Australia will be a new experience, and I am Iooking forward to giving the people of Perth a great fight.”

"I am extremely motivated and eager to face off with the legendary Vasiliy Lomachenko. Once again, I will bring a world championship showdown and a mega stadium fight to Australian shores. This will be a battle between two modern day warriors,” Kambosos said. “This is a fight I’ve always wanted, and it will soon become a reality. This fight means everything to me. It’s about cementing the immortal boxing legacy I want to leave behind. I will be ready, and victory is the only thing on my mind. Thank you to the City of Perth and the Western Australian Government for getting behind this historic event.”

“George Kambosos is one of the best lightweights in the world. Loma is a legend. He is also an aging and smaller legend. George Kambosos has never been more hungry and has the chance to climb the mountain again. It’s going to be a great fight and a huge event in Perth,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“Vasiliy Lomachenko is among the most electrifying fighters I’ve ever seen, a physical marvel still at the top of his game,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We’ve seen George Kambosos Jr. upset the odds before, and he is a warrior that cannot be underestimated. This is a fascinating clash of styles that marks the most significant boxing match ever to take place in the beautiful city of Perth. Thank you to the Western Australian Government for their support in making this historic event a reality.”  

“We are excited to be bringing two of the world’s best lightweight boxers to RAC Arena in Perth as part of a world title tripleheader, with thanks to our great partners at Tourism Western Australia,” said Geoff Jones, TEG Group CEO. “This is a must-watch event for all combat sports fans, which will see a living legend in Vasiliy Lomachenko face George Kambosos Jr., a unified champion and one of Australia’s best homegrown talents.

“This is huge for Western Australia with thousands of fight fans travelling to Perth to witness history in the making as well as those around the globe tuning in.”

“Our state will once again be showcased on the global stage as we host this blockbuster boxing event, which will be broadcast live to over 100 countries around the world,” said Rita Saffioti, Tourism Minister of Western Australia. “We know that major sporting events like this attract thousands of out-of-state visitors, generating millions of dollars for the local economy, and shine a huge international spotlight on our state.

"We make no secret of our ambition for Western Australia to become the fastest growing events destination in the South East Asian region and this Australian-exclusive triple world title boxing event only adds to the growing list of major sporting events we have secured for WA.”

David Templeman, Sports Minister of Western Australia, said, “Boxing is an iconic and noble sport followed by hundreds of millions of fans all around the globe.  “Securing this Triple World Title Boxing event highlights Western Australia’s spectacular tourism and sports infrastructure and showcases our state as a premier destination for major sporting events.

“We expect this to be a sell-out event at RAC Arena, and we can’t wait to announce the other fighters going head-to-head for a world title belt this May in the coming weeks.”

Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, won the featherweight world title in his third pro fight and was a three-weight champion within his first dozen bouts. Despite being undersized as a lightweight, “Loma” toppled Jorge Linares, Jose Pedraza and Luke Campbell to become a three-belt unified champion. After a 2020 points loss to Teofimo Lopez inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble, he reeled off three consecutive wins. In the midst of that winning streak, he joined a territorial defense battalion in his homeland during the Russia-Ukraine war. Last May, he came close to becoming the undisputed lightweight champion, dropping a hotly contested decision to unbeaten phenom Devin “The Dream” Haney.

Kambosos (21-2, 10 KOs), from Sydney, Australia, spent eight-plus years climbing the lightweight ranks after turning pro in 2013. He earned the IBF No. 1 spot after outpointing Lee Selby in October 2020. Almost 13 months later, he authored the 2021 Upset of the Year with a split decision over Teofimo Lopez to become the division’s unified world champion. In June 2022, his showdown against Haney for the undisputed title drew more than 41,000 fans to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. Kambosos lost a unanimous decision to Haney, then dropped the rematch by decision four months later at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. “The Emperor” regrouped in July 2023, edging Maxi Hughes by majority decision to secure another crack at world title glory.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It reached 2 million subscribers in less than a year and offers fans thousands of live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks, along with premium editorial content.

Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL games, exclusive UFC, Top Rank boxing and PFL fights and events, top domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredivisie, and more), thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and other sports), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and can cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App (on mobile and connected devices) and ESPN.com.

About ESPN

In the UK, ESPN operates a successful and growing business that includes a collection of leading sports websites and apps, an expanding sports content sales business, live and on-demand streaming service ESPN Player, and a long-term collaboration with BT Sport that includes BT Sport operating an ESPN-branded channel as part of its television business.

ESPN UK combines bespoke content from an experienced London-based team with the best writing on other sites in ESPN’s global digital portfolio, including ESPNcricinfo.com and ESPN FC. More than 100 staff from multiple locations contribute to ESPN UK’s coverage across football, rugby, cricket, tennis, boxing and golf, offering both a local and global view.

ESPN’s UK business is part of ESPN International, a division of ESPN, Inc., which has grown to include ownership — in whole or in part — of 26 television networks outside of the United States, as well as a variety of additional businesses that allow ESPN to reach sports fans in more than 60 countries and territories across all seven continents. Since 1983, ESPN (founded in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1979) has grown around the world, establishing itself as the leading global sports media brand – ESPN.com is one of the world’s leading sports websites. The company’s philosophy to global growth is to always serve sports fans and be locally relevant to them, with content and products that tap into their great passion and dedication. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About DiBella Entertainment

In May of 2000, Lou DiBella launched DiBella Entertainment (DBE), a full-service sports and entertainment company, which has become one of the most successful promotional entities in boxing. Serving as matchmaker, television distributor, marketing advisor, and promoter, DiBella has developed an exciting stable of championship caliber, world-class fighters, such as Sergio Martinez, Bernard Hopkins, Jermaine Taylor, Micky Ward, Deontay Wilder, and George Kambosos Jr., among others. DBE clearly established itself as an industry leader with the successful launch of its monthly-televised "Broadway Boxing" series in November 2003. Prior to becoming a promoter, DiBella held an 11-year tenure as the Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. While at HBO, DiBella created and established the highly successful “Boxing After Dark” series, which featured some of the sport’s greatest fights. He is also a well-known fixture in the film industry, having worked as an Executive Producer for the film "Love Ranch", as an Associate Producer on "The Fighter", and making his acting debut in "Rocky Balboa". He also produced or executive produced numerous documentaries, such as Viva Baseball!, Magic Man, Maravilla, Larry Flynt for President, and Tapia. The President and Managing General Partner for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, DiBella proudly wears his 2010, 2012 and 2014 World Series rings, as his team is the class AA affiliate to the San Francisco Giants. In 2017, DiBella also became the CEO and Managing Owner of the Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, the AA-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. DiBella was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and inducted in June 2022, as well as the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

About Top Rank

Innovation has been the standard at Top Rank since it was established in 1973 by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. The boxing industry's leading promotional company, Top Rank has shaped, developed, and promoted the careers of top international pay-per-view superstars and Hall of Famers, including Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Vasiliy Lomachenko and Tyson Fury.

Known for creating strategic collaborations between athletes, sponsors, and television networks, Top Rank has been an architect of boxing's global growth by staging high-profile events in landmark settings around the world. Top Rank is the industry-leader in creating unforgettable in-arena experiences for fans and embracing 21st century technological advancements to distribute world-class fights and shoulder programming across a variety of platforms.

About Tourism WA

Tourism WA is the WA Government agency responsible for promoting Western Australia as an incredible holiday and events destination. Our role is to inspire more people to visit WA from Australia and around the world.

We do this by marketing the state to our key international markets through innovative campaigns; developing, attracting and promoting major sporting, arts, cultural and business events; and working with government and the tourism industry to improve access, accommodation and tourism experiences for our visitors.

About TEG Sport

TEG Sport is a producer and promoter of live sporting events featuring the world’s biggest sporting teams and brands. TEG Sport is owned by TEG, a leading global live entertainment, ticketing, and technology business which operates globally and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Ticketek Singapore, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Life Like Touring, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, TEG Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG Live USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW, and Ovation.

About Duco Events

Duco Events is one of Asia Pacific’s leading events management and sports promotion companies, responsible for delivering high profile sporting events such as The Battle of Brisbane – Manny Pacquiao vs Jeff Horn, the NRL Auckland Nines, the Brisbane Rugby Tens and the T20 Black Clash alongside numerous other innovative sports, corporate and entertainment events throughout New Zealand and Australia including SYNTHONY – a breath-taking fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestra, DJ’s, vocalists and immersive visuals.