LUKE CAMPBELL is unfazed by the all-round brilliance of Vasyl Lomachenko as the Hull fighter looks to realise his aim of becoming world champion at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
Despite a considerable height and reach disadvantage, the Ukrainian is 1/20 with some British bookmakers to add the vacant WBC lightweight crown to his WBA and WBO belts as he looks to clean up in the 135lb division.
Considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, Lomachenko has already won world titles in three weight classes after just 14 professional contests while he has supposedly only lost twice in more than 400 bouts across both the amateur level and in the paid ranks.
The odds are therefore stacked against Campbell, whose first foray at world level ended in a split decision loss to Jorge Linares two years ago although he has won his last four since then to earn another opportunity, including avenging the only other professional defeat in his career to Yvan Mendy.
Campbell said at a press conference: “You can’t go in there and worry about what someone else is going to do.
“You’ve got to go in there and concentrate on yourself, make sure you’re not making any mistakes and you’re the best person you can be on that night. That’s what we’re doing.
“I’ve learned from my experiences and I’m here. Boy do I love a challenge. I’ve always said ‘in boxing to be the best you have to beat the best’ and this is certainly one of those challenges.”
Campbell won bantamweight gold at London 2012 the day before Lomachenko topped the podium in the lightweight competition to earn his second Olympic gold medal.
Lomachenko is therefore expecting a battle in which brain as well as brawn will be decisive.
He said: “Luke Campbell is not an easy fighter, he is a tough fighter, a smart fighter, a technical fighter so it will be a very interesting and technical fight.”
Both fighters made weight on Friday, Campbell was 134lbs 4oz, Lomachenko a shade heavier at 134lbs 8oz.
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