'This guy is a rat!' - Kambosos Jr and Haney trade barbs ahead of showdown

George Kambosos Jr has stoked the fires ahead of his undisputed lightweight world title clash with Devin Haney by accusing the American of passing on information about the Australian’s previous opponent.

Kambosos Jr (20(10)-0) claimed the WBA Super, WBO and IBF world lightweight belts with a split-decision win over the previously undefeated Teofimo Lopez in an epic showdown in New York last November which saw both fighters knocked down.

The 28-year-old now returns to box in his homeland for the first time in five years for the showdown against the unbeaten Haney (27(15)-0) in Melbourne, live on Sky Sports on Sunday morning, and took aim at the WBC title holder by accusing him of passing on gossip about Lopez ahead of that contest.

"I really don't know how they let this guy into the country, to be honest," Kambasos Jr said. "I don't think they let informants into the country.

"This guy is an informant, this guy is a rat and I'll tell you why: The Teofimo Lopez fight with a foreigner against his own countryman, he was messaging me telling me all the details.

"This is a rat, this is a sneaky informant and you know what? This is your own countryman you're going behind his back.

"So, you know what? On Sunday, I'm going to whip your a** and when you're back in Las Vegas, you'll be on the lookout for Teofimo Lopez because he'll be looking for you too."

One person who has not been allowed into Australia is Haney's father and trainer Bill, who has been denied an entry visa. Instead, Yoel Judah, the father of former two-weigh world champion Zab Judah, will be in the 23-year-old's corner for this fight.

Haney has not given up hope on Bill being allowed to enter Australia and be ringside with him, although he concedes it is