Coyle, Campbell Positioned For May Domestic Blockbuster

By Matt Bevan (@MBevs68)

Tommy Coyle kept hopes of a summer clash in 2015 with Luke Campbell well and truly alive, as he produced a stunning second round stoppage of former world title challenger Michael Katsidis in Hull. Their mutual promoter Eddie Hearn says the fight will take place at the KC Stadium in Hull on May 30, 2015.

Coyle (20-2, 9KO’s) boxed well, keeping out of the Australian’s range in the first round, before Katsidis (now 30-7, 24KO’s) pushed forward in the second, trying to drag the local hero into a war.

What he got was a picture perfect left hook, which Coyle threw from off the ropes, icing Katsidis and sending him hurtling towards a second retirement.

Coyle, who retained his IBF International lightweight title, will now look towards a clash with Campbell, who was totally dominant over former Coyle victim, Daniel Eduardo Brizuela from Argentina.

Brizuela (26-4-2, 8KO’s) engaged in a tremendous back and forth battle with Coyle in the same venue back in February; however Campbell (9-0, 7KO’s) gave him absolutely no chance, stopping him late in the fifth round.

“Cool Hand” Luke figured his opponent early, settling into a nice rhythm, until the fourth when he decided to pick up the pace and head through the gears.

Campbell’s left hand pierced Brizuela’s defences from the opening bell, and he barely wasted a shot all night. He had the Argentine in trouble early, before pressing home the advantage, knocking him down midway into the fifth.

He stepped it up another level, pummelling Brizuela who was still in shock, before unleashing a barrage, which left referee Ingo Barrabas no choice but to step in.

Matchroom's Hearn hopes the Coyle-Campbell cracker will draw in 30,000 tickets to the KC Stadium.

On the undercard, Gavin McDonnell, twin brother of WBA bantamweight champion Jamie, came through a gruelling 12 rounds to claim the WBO International super bantamweight title over South African Vusi Malinga.

McDonnell (12-0, 4KO’s), was cut late and took his fair share of shots, but he dished out more to Malinga (now 21-6-1, 12KO’s), who was badly marked out by the end of the fight.

Malinga was sent down in the eighth from a cracking right hand from McDonnell, but he had to settle for a unanimous points decision in the end, winning 116-111 twice and 115-112.

Liverpool light welterweight Robbie Davies Jnr (7-0, 4KO’s) continued his progress with a sixth round stoppage of Georgian Kakhaber Avetisian (36-26-1, 18KO’s).

Davies was in control, but Avetisian made it scrappy at times, as he struggled with the Liverpool man’s power. Davies eventually got the job done, following a knockdown in the fifth, 53 seconds into the final round.

Samir Mouneimne (14-1-1, 4KO’s) returned to the venue of his first defeat last year, to pick up a six round win over tricky veteran, Michael Ramabeletsa (12-15, 5KO’s).

Mouneimne had power to burn, but couldn’t get Ramabeletsa out of there, triumphing 59-55 on referee Michael Alexander’s scorecard.

Two young prospects made their first appearance on a big bill, with Tom Knight (5-0, 1KO) putting in a classy performance to beat Gary Cooper (4-15-1, 2KO’s) 59-56 on points, whilst Nathon Smith (5-0-1, 1KO), was dropped, but came away with a 57-57 draw with Danny Little (3-3-1).

Finally, there were also wins for Charlie Payton (3-0) over Ibrar Riyaz (4-65-2, 2KO’s) and Connor Seymour (1-0-1) over Dee Mitchell (9-69-2, 2KO’s), both over four rounds and both finishing 39-38 in favour of the home fighter.