Luke Campbell Prepared To Make Good on Big Expectations

Luke Campbell is taking the first steps on a long road which he hopes will lead him to the stardom enjoyed by his new professional stablemates.

Almost a year on from winning bantamweight gold at the London Olympics, Campbell will fight for the first time since that memorable night at the Excel when he makes his full-time debut against Andy Harris in his home city of Hull on Saturday night.

It comes after a prolonged period out of the ring during which the 25-year-old added further to his celebrity status with an appearance on ITV's 'Dancing On Ice' and opted to join Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport company.

As a result of the latter he finds himself in the working company of stellar names such as Carl Froch and David Haye and, as he readies himself for his six-rounder against Harris, Campbell knows what is on offer to him if he stays on the right track.

"I was at the Carl Froch fight against Mikkel Kessler and I know if I work hard, dedicate myself to my boxing, I could be in that position," he said.

"That's what I want. For me, Eddie and Matchroom are the best out there and I'm excited to be working with them. I thank them for supporting me the way they have."

Hearn has laid on his first-ever outdoor show for Campbell's professional debut - dubbed as 'The Homecoming' - with Kell Brook providing top-class support along with fellow Olympian Anthony Ogogo.

It is unusual for a fighter to headline a bill in his first outing but, according to Hearn, his man can more than handle the pressure.

"He's the most successful amateur ever and there's a huge amount of expectation that comes with that," said Hearn.

"He's actually quite calm but no-one debuts on their opening show, in their home town, in the open air. It doesn't happen.

"As soon as he's in there, he'll love it. There's a lot of pressure on him but the great thing about this show is that it's so deep, there's so much other stuff going on, that people won't be asking 'What time is Luke on?' I'm really excited. It's one of the biggest shows we've put on."

Campbell will face an opponent with a record that does not set the pulse racing, but who he believes can give him the challenge he needs.

The 30-year-old from Gloucester has lost five of his seven fights but nuggety performances on other Hearn shows this year - particularly against Martin Joseph Ward on the undercard to Froch v Kessler - have earned him a prime-time slot.

"We want a hard opponent," added Campbell, who this week admitted his year away from boxing had made him realise how desperately he wants to reach the top.

"Hard opponents are what it's all about and that's what we've got. We want two men in the ring believing they can both win.

"I have trained hard and have put everything into what I have been doing. I'm sure we will both put on a great show."

Campbell's appearance at Hull Kingston Rovers' MS3 Craven Park comes at a boom time for sport by the Humber after Hull City's promotion to the Premier League.

And although the city remains largely on a diet of football and rugby league, Campbell - who will also be supported by fellow Hull man Tommy Coyle in his Commonwealth scrap with Derry Matthews - believes boxing is starting to make its mark too.

"It's very nice of them (Matchroom) to make a big deal out of Hull and it's great to bring something like that to the city," he said.

"In Hull we've not seen anything like this before - a massive outdoor venue, live on the TV. You normally get the rugby or the football and now we have the boxing and I am proud to be a part of that."