George Kambosos Jr is the Champion of the World

AND THE NEW!!! The words not only heard around the boxing world, but the whole world.

Sydney’s own George Kambosos Jr yesterday defeated the much hyped and also undefeated American Teófimo López in the heart of New York City’s famous Madison Square Garden, making him the undisputed World Champion and the owner of one of the greatest upsets in history. As a 7-1 underdog not many gave the Australian who claims fans both here and in Greece a chance.

That is, unless you’ve met the man.

I first met a young Kambosos in 2015 at the Rockdale PCYC, also the home of the legend Kostya Tszyu and current rising star Tim Tszyu.

It was at that first encounter with George that I was sure one day he would be a World Champion. In this profession you often meet a young athlete or fighter that says that want to be the champ one day.

But with the conviction that George Kambosos Jr has always had that he’d be champion one day. It’s hard not to believe him when you’re talking to him. And as history now shows, he was right.

You always got the feeling with him that he truly believed it was his destiny to be champion of the world.

And on a Sunday afternoon Sydney time, in the most famous arena in the world. Both George and his destiny became one. An historic moment for boxing fans everywhere.

In all of the dealings I’ve had with him since that first meeting and photoshoot, he has been nothing but a class act and a gentleman.

Stirred on by his unwavering belief in himself and the manners befitting a hero.

At 28 years of age his career has only just begun and to anyone who has met the young man from Sydney would say. It wouldn’t happen to a better bloke.

A few highlights from the land of Twitter.

This from famed boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who put on the now famous bout.

Also George’s former training partner the legend himself Manny Pacquiao.

What’s next for George will be determined in due course, but for the time being it’s a lesson to us all. Believe in yourself and great things can happen.

All the best George.

Chris Lane

North Curl Curl Rock Pool

Name: North Curl Curl rock pool

Pool Length: 25 meters

Pools of the Sea number: 8/100

Tips: Car parking is plentiful.

North Curl Curl Rock Pool

Just 18km from the Sydney CBD lies the beautiful North Curl Curl rock pool.

It’s a classic sydney rock pool, a perfect rectangle and only a few meters from the ocean and is carved into the rock shelf that it sits on.

The awesome Northern Beaches is home to some of the best rock pools I’ve come across in my travels and it’s also number 8 on my list on the way to 100.

The name Curl Curl comes from the Aboriginal name for the larger area of Manly Vale, Freshwater and Queenscliff.

Curl Curl then is derived from an Aboriginal phrase, curial curial, meaning river of life.

The pool here at Curl Curl is one I really enjoyed photographing, as with all of the Northern beaches here in Sydney’s it’s truly a beautiful spot. With a stunning landscape of high cliffs, beautiful beaches and classic Sydney suburbia. It’s a location that is well worth the trip and even better for some photography.

I’ll definitely be back soon to this part of Sydney to capture many more of the northern Beaches ocean pools. It’s a great place to be regardless of the visit and if you’re into your photography there is so much here to shoot, the only problem is finding enough time to photograph it in all it’s glory.

Til next time!

Chris Lane

When Wayne was King: NRL Grand Final 2010 part II, when the Dragons returned to Kogarah

Following their impressive win over the Sydney Roosters in the 2010 Grand Final.

Wayne Bennett and his victorious Dragons returned to Kogarah oval. Rain soaked and blissfully happy, the fans and media alike welcomed them onto the western side of the field.

The great thing about photographs is that they bring up many emotions of the day looking back. The mood at the time and the thoughts that run through your mind feel like yesterday.

But they also bring up thoughts of, wow I don’t remember that. So it’s always a fascinating time when you go through old files.

The main thing I remember from this night, after shooting the game during the day and the roller coaster of emotions you go through when you shoot a Grand Final, was the rain coming down as the players entered along with King Wayne.

The lateness of the night, I think around 11pm added with the rain just created such a beautiful and dramatic atmosphere. Fitting of the Dragons breaking the long winded premiership drought.

A night I’ll never forget and I’m sure the same for many people who were lucky enough to be there.

In the rain, late at night on a Sunday and not wanting to be anywhere else.

It’s a privilege to do this great job as a photographer and looking back on this night just reminds you even more.

If you were there and can fill in any more details of the night I’d love to hear them below too.

Til next time!

Chris Lane