Campillo Talks Return, Cleverly-Kovalev, Stevenson-Cloud

By Ben Jacobs

Former WBA light heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo (22-5-1, 9KOs) returns to action against Poland’s Andrzej Fonfara (23-2, 13KOs) on August 16.

The Madrid native recently competed in his homeland with a routine stoppage of Romanian Ionut Trandafir IIie following his loss to Sergey Kovalev.

After suffering such a devastating defeat at the hands of the Russian, Campillo admitted that some doubts crept into his mind, however he denied rumors that he was not in shape for the fight.

“Physically I was 100% but I did have some problems during my training camp which affected me mentally,” he told BoxingScene.

“It felt good to come back with a win even though it was against an easy opponent.”

Kovalev is riding the crest of a wave right now following his victory over Campillo and his most recent outing against Cornelius White.  Campillo feels that while the Russian is as good as advertised, he can be beaten.

“It’s clear that he’s a good boxer and a big puncher, he’s dangerous and he hurts you.  But I do think there are better fighters at 175lbs. 

“I’m leaning towards Nathan Cleverly on points in their fight.  I’m really looking forward to it.  I have a friend who is working in Nathan’s camp and of course it’s a fight in my weight class so I’m very interested. 

“But Kovalev is very dangerous and his right hand is very powerful.  I’m sure Nathan is working and studying tapes of Kovalev and he must be careful of that right hand.”

‘El Chico Guapo’ is excited at the prospect of fighting his next contest at US Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and has already been studying Fonfara in preparation for fight night.

“He’s a technically good boxer, and he looks quick, but I don’t think he’s so good that he can beat me.  I’m very prepared for this and I’m going to clearly beat him.

“It’s an extra motivation fighting in this huge baseball stadium.  I love it.”

Having trained for last year’s battle with Tavoris Cloud in Oxnard, California under the command of Pablo Sarmiento, Campillo will now continue to train in his native Spain as he has done for his previous two bouts with Antonio González Matías.  The 34-year-old believes Matías can get the best out of him and feels at ease under his tutelage.  He also highlighted the importance of training close to his family as an added reason for staying at home.

With regards to Cloud, Gabriel expressed surprise at his former foe’s performance against Bernard Hopkins.

“I really expected more of Cloud in that fight,” he revealed. 

“He was completely nullified by Hopkins’ experience and speed.  Hopkins continues to surprise us, in a good way.  Cloud looked like he had no ambition in there, certainly not like he had when he fought me.  If Cloud fights Stevenson I think it will suit Stevenson’s style.

“I want to get back to the feeling I had when I fought Cloud [Campillo lost a controversial majority decision].

“That’s my real level, not the person you saw against Kovalev.”