Campbell: Haney plea will not affect my title fight

Luke Campbell would have been fighting for a world title in more ordinary circumstances this week and he is adamant the coronavirus hiatus should have no bearing on his shot once boxing is given the all-clear to resume.

The London 2012 gold medallist was scheduled to fight for the vacant WBC lightweight crown against Javier Fortuna in Maryland on Friday night but all major sporting events have been suspended for the foreseeable future.

Muddying the waters for Campbell going forward is Devin Haney’s status with the WBC, which stripped the American of the belt last December and declared him “champion in recess” because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Haney would have had the right to take on the winner of Campbell-fortuna once fit but the 21-year-old last week petitioned the WBC to reinstate him as champion, insisting he will be ready to fight once boxing is given the green light.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman backtracked on claims Haney’s request had been granted and is now reviewing the matter, but Campbell believes the governing body is duty-bound to proceed with his bout against Fortuna.

Campbell said: “Haney’s situation shouldn’t make the slightest bit of difference.

“This fight has already been made and it’s already been chosen for the title so, as soon as we go back to normal, nothing should change.

“We’re still fighting for the title and then he has the right to fight the winner if he chooses to do that for his first fight back after an injury. That’s down to him and his team.”

Campbell has twice before come up short on the world stage, dropping a split decision to Jorge Linares in 2017 in a bout many thought the Briton won before being more convincingly outpointed by Vasyl Lomachenko last August.

Campbell added: “I’m gutted about those two experiences but I’m not going to sit here and cry about it, I’m going to get on with it.”