By Aus-Boxing.com

THE man who is guiding the career of Australia’s number one welterweight is now in the corner of Cameron Hammond.

As if the looming Commonwealth welterweight title fight between the undefeated Hammond and hard-hitting Toowoomba native Kris George didn’t have enough spice, you can add more with confirmation Hammond (16-0, 8 KOs) will be trained by Glenn Rushton.

Rushton is the trainer of Jeff Horn, the IBF #2 rated welterweight and the man widely regarded as Australia’s next world champion, while also being the fighter that Kris George has been wanting to face for over two years.

George (11-1, 6 KOs) didn’t plan on seeing Rushton standing in the opposite corner to him until he met Jeff Horn. However, with this latest twist the pair will now be opposite each other on November 25th.

“I have recently taken over the training of Cameron Hammond as he prepares for a Commonwealth title fight against Kris George,” Rushton confirmed. “While I respect Kris for his courageous efforts so far, Cameron is at another level altogether,”

“He combines raw talent, slick boxing skills honed from years representing Australia at the highest level, incredible toughness and explosive power. It’s going to be one heck of a fight as I know Kris will give it everything he has in front of his home crowd.”

The 27-year-old George last fought in July, snatching the undefeated record of Kiwi prospect Bowyn Morgan, who George silenced in three entertaining rounds in Christchurch.

Despite George’s punching power and reputation of upsetting undefeated fighters, Rushton believes that Hammond’s ability to take punishment and hurt his opponents is being drastically under appreciated.

“I realise that Kris is very tough,” added Rushton. “He showed that when he climbed off the canvas against New Zealand’s Bowyn Morgan to win. However, most people don’t realise how strong the lightly built Cameron is.”

“Rest assured he is tough and has a good chin, I’ve seen it tested on numerous occasions. It should also be remembered that he broke Daniel Lewis’ jaw in a bout and Daniel later went on to represent Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympics.”

For Rushton and Hammond it’s a partnership that already has a lot of symmetry.

“I know Cameron very well as he has been making the trek from from Moree to Brisbane to spar Jeff Horn for over five years now. These two London Olympians have sparred an enormous amount of rounds together and I’ve always had a very high opinion of Cameron who is very gifted.”

“Apart from Jeff, I always thought he was Australia’s next best prospect from the London Games. I recall him going into the national titles one year with virtually no training, and winning.”

“Who does that? Who else could do that? It just underlies his raw talent.”

Words: Press Release
Photo: Rightcross Boxing