“I will change a few things, get him back at the end of this year. I gave him a [title] shot straight away,” he told his supporters – reminding everyone in the boxing world that he opted to take on what was always going to be a formidable challenge in his first defence rather than easing in as champion with easier defences.

Haney’s father Bill was finally granted permission to enter Australia and he arrived late, but in time to watch his son become the eighth fighter in the four-belt era to win the quadruple.

“This is a dream come true,” Haney said.

“This was a big aim for both of us since we started out,” he said. “It would have hurt me to accomplish this without him.

“I stuck to the game plan, to go in there and not get hit.”

It was a cagey start from both fighters as they circled warily, jabbing sporadically, moving edgily and trying to gauge each other in the opening three minutes.

When Kambosos stunned the boxing world with his victory over Teofimo Lopez to take the title he signalled his intent with a first-round knockdown. There was to be nothing of that ilk in Melbourne as Haney prowled around, keeping his opponent at arm’s length, and Kambosos exercised caution.

The fight began to open up in the second and third rounds as both boxers, although conscious that one moment’s lapse in concentration could prove fatal, looked to open up.

Haney’s jab was an effective tool as he found his rhythm and started to pick off Kambosos regularly amidst the clinches although Kambosos, too, managed to land a handful of blows that caused the crowd to cheer.

He opened up in the fourth and began to push forward with more aggression, catching Haney with a flurry towards the end of the three minutes. But the American looked comfortable, keeping his jab working and maintaining his distance when Kambosos tried to advance and it was Haney who was beginning to take control.

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The big crowd of Greek supporters – the Hellas Fan Club – had roared their approval when Kambosos came into the ring. But they were muted by the mid-stages as they, like Kambosos and his corner, had all the confirmation they needed that this was never going to be an easy hometown title defence.

Haney landed a good blow in the first minute of the eighth and the American’s quality was evident as he moved and jabbed with fluency, Still, the crowd roared into life as Kambosos unleashed some heavy punches late in the eighth that forced Haney into retreat.

As the fight entered the last third Kambosos knew he had to lift the tempo and he went after Haney.

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His opponent was wrestled to the floor; the incident was ruled no knockdown, but it brought the crowd to life. With his supporters shouting “lets go George,” Kambosos caught Haney with a big right hand and forced him on to the back foot for the remainder of the round.

There was almost a repeat of the wrestle-down when Kambosos caught Haney with another solid blow that had Haney holding on, the referee separating the pair. But in truth Haney never really looked in trouble and his jab-and-move style had continued to accumulate points that had him in front.

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