BOXING’S newest hero George Kambosos Jr has revealed legends Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali helped him get to the very top.
The Aussie shocked the world when he secured a split decision victory against Teofimo Lopez to be crowned unified lightweight champ.
Kambosos got off to a flier, dropping Lopez in the first round, but was sent crashing to the canvas himself in the 10th.
But the 28-year-old regained his senses and secured a stunning points win.
And it’s been some journey for the Sydney scrapper, who has revealed how he was bullied in his younger years.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Kambosos explained: “Look, I was bullied as a young kid.
“I was overweight when I was a kid and I came last in everything I did and took part in.
“But I always tried doing everything with 100 per cent effort. I was bullied at school multiple times. I just stayed focused in what I wanted to achieve.
“It was continuous everyday thing but I prevailed and stayed strong and I’m in the position I am today because of that.”
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
At the age of 13, Kambosos told his dad Jim that one day he would be a champion – and on November 27 that became a reality.
He now has the chance to go on and become undisputed king of the lightweight division – a far cry from the tormented kid growing up Down Under.
Kambosos, who is married to Bec Pereira and has three children, added: “I had a dream, once I started boxing it was to become world champion and I never lost that motivation for this dream and I had tunnel vision.
“I worked hard I sacrificed a lot and my discipline is second to none. I focused on the vision and never stopped believing in myself, and it became a reality and happened.
“I learned from a young age that you need to sacrifice and be dedicated to the sport and train every single day hard to achieve your dreams.
“Any young kid out there, you can do anything you want in your life as long as you have that core belief and that dedication, discipline and sacrifice you’ll get there.”
Kambosos is undefeated as a pro, with his nickname of ‘Ferocious’ a word used to describe one of his heroes in Mike Tyson.
Photos of the former heavyweight king hang in the Miami gym Kambosos trained in before his triumph against Lopez.
And the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ is one of a number of boxing legends Kambosos has studied on his journey to the top.
He added: “Some fighters such as Roberto Duran, Manny Pacquiao, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, all these guys who are unbelievable, I looked up to.
“So, as a young kid I would watch these guys when I was having an amateur career as a young person and I was inspired to become a champion like these fighters.”
