Luke Campbell confident of swatting Ryan Garcia aside en-route to world title

LUKE Campbell insists he’s only just coming into his boxing prime and has set his sights on 2021 being the year he finally adds the title of World Champion to that of Olympic gold medallist.

The London 2012 bantamweight champion has agreed to face off against fast-rising Californian Ryan Garcia before the end of the year, when the WBC Interim world title belt will be on the line for the victor.

The 32-year-old from Hull has twice contested world titles in the past. He was unlucky not to get a decision over Jorge Linares in Inglewood in 2017, while last summer he went toe-to-toe with boxing’s pound-for-pound number one Vasiliy Lomachenko at London’s O2 Arena.

Refreshed and rejuvenated after the enforced Covid lockdown, Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) is eager to climb back into contention as soon as possible and knows a big performance against the unbeaten Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) is fundamental to him realising his ambitions next year.

“When I beat Garcia and I am handed that WBC Interim world title it will mean I am a step closer to my dream of becoming a world champion,” Campbell says. “Garcia is a good fighter, but, other than Lomachenko, I’m the best lightweight in the world. If he wants the opportunity then I’m happy to show the world again just how good I am.”

As well as being the latest star from the Golden Boy stable, Garcia is also a celebrity vlogger with millions of social media followers. It’s made him a big attraction. Campbell shrugs: “Listen, he was next in line with the WBC, he’s up there in the rankings, in fact, Ring magazine had him above me in their lightweight rankings, so, he’s a very credible opponent. But he’s never fought anybody like me.

Cute, I remember my first big fight…we will see https://t.co/uMjN3lmdhk

— Luke Campbell MBE (@luke11campbell) August 26, 2020

After the WBC upgraded Lomachenko to Franchise Champion (don’t ask!), they handed Devin Haney their world title belt, which has thrown his old Interim title into the mix for Campbell-Garcia. But the Brit refuses to get caught up in all the alphabet belt nonsense. He knows all that really matters is beating the guys ranked around him and letting the fans decide who is best.

Campbell adds: “This fight was ordered by the WBC. We’ve both signed for the fight, so now we are just waiting for a venue and a date to be confirmed. It’s down to the promoters and TV execs now. But this fight was never going to be a difficult one to make. I wanted it, he wanted it.

“Garcia is in the top seven, in my opinion. It’s a division packed with talent and well-known names. He’s not top five because he’s not got a belt or beaten any former world champions. But you can see why he’s pursued a fight with me. Him coming in with me is a massive and exciting fight, for both of us. We’ll see what he’s made of. But I know when I win this fight fresh world title opportunities will come in 2021. That’s what I am working towards.”