George Kambosos Jr is being urged to rethink future opponents after another ill-fated match-up with US "tornado" Devin Haney sent the former world champion back to the drawing board.
Sunday's second unanimous points defeat to Haney further blemished Kambosos's previously impeccable record following a 20-0 start to his professional career.
The Sydney lightweight is planning a well-earned six-month break after a gruelling schedule of five prize fights in three years and several lengthy stints away from his wife and young family.
Kambosos, though, insists he's far from finished and Hall-of-Fame promoter Lou DiBella agrees the former unified world champion remains a major player in the 135-pound ranks if he makes smarter decisions.
At just 23, Haney (29-0, 15KOs) is boxing's youngest world champion, one of only eight fighters in the 18-year, four-belt era to unify a division and drawing comparisons to the legendary Floyd Mayweather.
DiBella says Kambosos should be applauded for taking on Haney for his first title defence but now needs to carefully plot his next move.
"He probably knew he was walking into a tornado, but he did it anyway," DiBella told reporters before returning to New York.
"George gave everything he had but Devin's kryptonite to a lot of fighters. He's very hard to hit, extremely fast, a brilliant like technician.
"Devin is just special."
Despite many tipping Haney to move up a weight class, the American knows a mega-money showdown with Ukrainian soldier and former divisional king Vasiliy Lomachenko and other big tickets remain in store.
But when Haney inevitably vacates, Kambosos wants another shot at the title having previously held the IBF, WBA and WBO straps following his shock win over Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden late last year.
"With my speed my, my counter punching, the smart aggression, anyone at 135 I can compete (with) and give a hell of a fight," Kambosos said.
The 29-year-old's father also maintains Kambosos is anything but yesterday's hero but accepts picking the right opponent next up is crucial.
"Styles make fights," said Jim Kambosos.
"George Kambosos is an Arturo Gatti-type style fighter who may come forward and is entertaining.
"So I'm sure there's fights to be made, where George can be matched up with someone with that style. We can make these fights happen."
DiBella has no doubts either.
"The man is a warrior," he said.
"He's been a spartan warrior his whole career and there are a lot of fights he can have out there that are going to be wars - but first he needs a break."
