UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya didn't appreciate the post-fight interviewers' timing after Devin Haney defeated George Kambosos Jr for the undisputed lightweight title.
Haney outclassed Kambosos over 12 rounds in front of over 41,000 of his fans at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, with the ring mobbed by media and team members after the contest. And Adesanya, who competes in the more controlled UFC environment, felt that it was inappropriate for broadcasters to demand interviews so soon after the bout.
It is standard fare in boxing for the ring to be filled with camera crews, teammates, family members and reporters from the broadcast partners after a major bout. In Haney and Kambosos' case, there were major broadcasters in America and Australia from ESPN and Foxtel's 'Main Event' respectively who needed separate interviews.
But Adesanya, who is used to his post-fight routine including he and his opponent's corner teams entering the cage and one post-fight interview with an in-house UFC commentator, was unimpressed with the display in Melbourne.
"After a fight, the last thing I need is 75 motherf***ers in the ring all up in my bubble trying to put cameras in my face and take selfies lol," he tweeted following the bout, which was aired during Sunday afternoon local time to make primetime in America. "Regardless that was a good fight, beautiful skills displayed."
Haney was the favourite to beat Kambosos going into the fight, but had to deal with a string of issues during his preparations. His dad and coach Bill Haney was refused entry to Australia until just days before the bout, while his cutman Bob Ware was also blocked.
He had already accepted a number of outlandish conditions to make sure that the fight took place, including leaving his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn and sign with Bob Arum's Top Rank Boxing. Haney also had to agree to a rematch clause giving Kambosos home advantage in Australia for both match-ups, as well as taking what he claims to have been a pay cut.
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But he powered through and completely dominated his rival to claim the undisputed world titles. There had been concern around his credentials after winning his WBC belt through a technicality outside of the ring, but he put those doubts to bed by winning almost every round on foreign soil against the unbeaten Kambosos.
The Aussie fighter, who held the unified WBA, IBF and WBO belts going into the bout as well as a WBC franchise title, has insisted that he will exercise his rematch clause. The second fight is expected to take place in November, with Sydney emerging as a frontrunner for the location.
But it will be tough for co-promoters Arum and Lou DiBella to convince audiences of the rematch's excitement value after Haney comprehensively defeated Kambosos in an unanimous decision victory. One judge had the margin as wide as 118-110, while the rest had it 116-112.
