Luke Campbell believes that his edge in experience will be the difference in a projected showdown with Ryan Garcia in November.
And the 2012 Olympic champion from England isn’t talking about a run-of-the-mill victory. He envisions himself stopping the undefeated young lightweight star.
Campbell told Sky Sports that he expects the fight to take place Nov. 14 in California.
“Hopefully we’ve got a date in November,” Campbell said. “We’re looking around the 14th, so hopefully we can move on that date soon. For me, it’s done. That’s the guy who I’m facing. He’s the one that’s there to win, because he’s the up and coming guy, but I’m excited by this opportunity to show the world what I’m really capable of doing.
“I see me just breaking him down and stopping him.”
Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) is coming off a solid performance in a unanimous-decision defeat against Vasiliy Lomachenko in August of last year.
That’s the kind of experience, he said, that will serve him against an opponent still building his resume.
“My opposition have been levels above what he’s had to face so far,” he said. “In my 17th fight, I fought a three-weight world champion in [Jorge] Linares, who at that time was in his prime and was also in the Top 10 pound-for-pound list as well. It’s a fight I thought I won.
“Then fighting Lomachenko, who is ranked pound-for-pound No 1 in the world. I’ve had experience being in there with world opposition. Class guys. All that does for me is grow my confidence, makes me believe in myself.
“Coming from my last performance, I know I can be so much better than that, and now this is my opportunity to go and prove it.”
One edge Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) might have: The fight would take place in the Los Angeles-area fighter’s home state, although it’s unlikely fans will be allowed to attend the event.
“At the moment, there’s no fans, but I guess you never know,” Campbell said. “The location will be California. I’ve always enjoyed going out there to America. I enjoy California, I think it’s a great place and there will be some great preparation there for me as well.”
And if Campbell wins? He told Sky Sports that he’d like a shot at the winner of the Oct. 17 Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez title-unification fight.
“It’s the best fighting the best and this is what boxing is for me,” he said. “I’ve never ducked a fight. I want to face the best, because I want to see what I’m made of. I want to see how far I can go.
“The longer the fight goes I just see Lomachenko becoming more stronger during the fight. Lopez is a great fighter, got some great skills. It’s boxing, you never know.
“I’d love that match-up [against Lopez]. I’m good friends with him and his dad, but it would be a fantastic fight.”
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