By Jake Donovan
With 2016 Trainer of the Year Shane McGuigan in his corner on fight night, Luke Campbell was far less concerned about accepting a fight on short notice than he is about when his next opportunity will come.
With promoter Eddie Hearn in his political corner, he likely won’t have to worry about the latter for very long, either.
A strategically placed appearance on Friday’s DAZN undercard at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Penn. saw Campbell turn in a brilliant performance, scoring a 5th round knockout of Mexico’s Adrian Yung.
“I feel great. I followed every instruction my corner gave me and executed the game plan,” Campbell said after the win. “If Shane told me to go out there and just box, that’s what we would’ve done instead. But Shane’s plan was to pick him apart and dismantle him.”
The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist for Great Britain did just that, which probably went much further in sending a message to defending WBC lightweight titlist Mikey Garcia. Campbell (20-2, 16KOs) is the mandatory challenger to the title, which has remained idle since last summer and probably for a few more months as Garcia moves up two weight divisions to challenge for Errol Spence’s welterweight title.
That bout takes place Saturday evening Arlington, Texas, which is what made Campbell’s placement on this show—and Friday night—so crucial. It gives the Brit much needed ring activity, having not fought since as 12-round win over Yvan Mendy last September to avenge his first career defeat as well as make him Garcia’s mandatory challenger.
“Luke is in a tough position,” Eddie Hearn, Campbell’s career-long promoter explained to BoxingScene,com. “We know it’s unlikely that Mikey Garcia comes back down to fight Luke, whether he wins or loses on Saturday. So, we’re pressuring WBC to make the right decision. They have an obligation to keep the belt active.
“Mikey hasn’t defended it since last July (a title unification win over Robert Easter), has never made a mandatory defense and likely won’t be back until July at the earliest. So what we’re hoping now is, after (this weekend), the WBC orders Mikey to fight Campbell instead of letting him hold the belt hostage.”
In a previous interview with BoxingScene.com, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman noted his willingness to give Garcia the benefit of the doubt and to wait out March 16 before revisiting the topic. Assuming he stays true to his word, Campbell should soon find out whether he next faces Garcia or fights for a vacant title.
A counteroffer is already being prepared by Matchroom Boxing.
“I’m thinking, while Mikey is weighing his options and the WBC is looking to do the right thing for everyone, let Luke Campbell for interim title. If Mikey decides to return to 135, then they fight for the (full) title. In the meantime, Luke gets this run out and we can keep things moving along.
In the event that Garcia (39-0, 30KOs) vacates, Campbell would be looking at a vacant title fight versus the next available leading contender. Next on the list is Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (11-0, 7KOs), a former amateur but whose best pro feat to date is a decision win over Hank Lundy last September and whom presently lacks profile.
Just below the 24-year old Russian are a pair of unbeaten rising young stars in Devin Haney—who is self-promoted but met with Matchroom and DAZN to discuss a potential partnership—and Teofimo Lopez, who is under contract with Top Rank and ESPN.
However it all shakes out, all that’s on Campbell’s mind is fighting for the title without having to wait any longer than necessary for such an opportunity.
“At the end of the day, we’re all fighters… we’ll fight whoever is in front of us,” notes Campbell, whose lone career tltle fight resulted in a Sept. ’17 points loss to Jorge Linares. “I feel I have the ability, the technique and the skill to beat anyone in the division.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
