Campbell relishes challenge of facing ‘world best’ Lomachenko
Top pound-for-pound fighter takes on Briton Ukrainian has the same skills as Ali, warns Arum
An opportunity to test oneself against the very best in the world as the home fighter is rare but Luke Campbell faces the boxer regarded as the No1 pound-for-pound in the world at present in Vasyl Lomachenko at the O2 Arena, London, tonight.
More than claiming the three lightweight titles on the line – World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and vacant World Boxing Council baubles – or indeed the Ring Magazine gong, bestowed on the best in each weight category, a victory over “The Matrix” for Hull’s Campbell would etch him into folklore. The two fighters with the southpaw stance collide seven years after becoming Olympic gold medallists at London 2012, Lomachenko having also claimed the gold medal in Beijing four years earlier.
The Ukrainian’s boxing is near genius level. Yet Campbell refuses to be fazed, having flat-batted every analysis that he will be undone, outboxed, outthought, or even beaten up by the man who is four inches shorter, and in reality, boxing two weight divisions above his natural weight at the 135lb lightweight limit.
“I’ve been through a lot having the experience of the London Olympics, the crowds, the pressure of going out there, getting a medal and winning. And in my professional career, I’ve been to America to fight Jorge Linares for a world title,” the 31-year-old explained, having lost that contest by a whisker. “I’ve learnt from my experiences, and boy, do I love a challenge. To be the best, you have to beat the best. And this is certainly one of those challenges.”
And yet, pity him. Lomachenko fighting in the UK bears comparison with the very greatest appearing on these shores – alongside Muhammad Ali twice against Henry Cooper in the Sixties, Marvin Hagler against Alan Minter in 1980. The Ukrainian’s octogenarian promoter Bob Arum – who also brought Ali here – told The Daily Telegraph that Lomachenko is “an artist, one of the greatest I have ever seen who has the same skills as the young Ali”.
With just 14 prize fights as a professional, he is now widely considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, an accolade held previously by Floyd Mayweather, and then Andre Ward.
“I think it will be like an amateur fight, with high IQ boxing, and with knockouts. I only think of the result – a win,” said Lomachenko. “Campbell’s reach and boxing IQ make it a difficult fight but I have prepared for this with guys twice as big as Campbell. He has an ego, I have an ego, we both believe we are the best. Now it is time to find out.”
Campbell must force Lomachenko with unorthodoxy, use his reach advantages to stay away and win the early rounds from range, yet there is the danger that his opponent will indulge in a chess match before working his way inside for body attacks.
Vasyl Lomachenko v Luke Campbell for the WBA WBO and vacant WBC lightweight titles is live on Sky Box Office tonight.